RAF HALTON

Halton Veteran receives French Award

Retired Squadron Leader, Alexander Gilbert DFC, has been appointed to the rank of ‘Chevalier in the Order National de la Legion d’Honneur,’ after receiving notification by the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ms Catherine Colonna. The award is France’s highest honour of merit, which recognises military and civilians alike. It states that: “This Honour recognises military engagement and steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France during WW2.” His career began in the RAF in late 1940, doing six months at Kirkham and qualified as an airframes fitter. After a very varied flying career and assisting the liberation of France during WW2, on retirement he was offered a post at RAF Halton and completed ten years of service as Wing Admin Officer on the Herts and Bucks ATC. He finally hung up his uniform in 1986 after 45 years of service. Sqn Ldr Gilbert was invited to RAF Halton to have tea with the Station Commander, Group Captain Dan Startup, and Station Executives in Halton House and brought his medal and insignia to show. Whilst he was here Wing Commander Ian Hough gave a short talk about the changes to the RAF and RAF Halton over the years Sqn Ldr Gilbert served and up to the present day.

Community Bacon Buttie Event

The Trinity Community Centre (TCC) welcomed the whole force to a socially distanced bacon buttie morning in October to encourage communication between everyone at RAF Halton, to assist us all through this difficult time and to allow the community to get to know key personnel at RAF Halton. Representatives from RAF Police were also in attendance to answer any concerns or questions anyone had regarding RAF Halton and the wider community, and to explain their role within the RAF Halton community. The event, which required time slots to be booked, was such a success that the Station Commander, Group Captain Startup, completed his food handling certificate to ensure he could participate in the next event! The Community Support Team will now hold regular bacon buttie events to provide the community with a regular opportunity to meet with friends, speak to the team and learn more about what is happening across the Unit, with the added bonus of great food too!

Babcock World Wide Recognition for RAF Halton Workshops

RAF Halton’s Workshops team have been selected as the winner of the Babcock 2020 Aviation Recognition Health & Safety Customer Engagement Award.

The team impressed the judges by their quick reaction to the requirement for COVID-19 safety measures, by designing and manufacturing desktop Perspex shields, enabling MOD personnel and contractors to safely continue their important work during the pandemic.

The demand for the Perspex shields, not only across RAF Halton, but from other sites and organisations, demonstrates the success of their solution. This project shows the team clearly embody many of the ‘Being Babcock’ principles and are a credit to the Aviation Sector. In these unprecedented times, unfortunately Babcock were not able to host a dinner at the Annual Conference for the team to receive their reward, instead they will be showing videos throughout the virtual Annual Conference.

Neal Misell, Chief Executive, Aviation Babcock International Group, said: “Congratulations again to RAF Halton Workshop’s success as a 2020 Aviation Recognition Award winner. During the past six months we have all risen to the challenge of working in different ways during the pandemic, and as such, their achievement is especially remarkable. Their dedication, commitment and service during this time is appreciated by me, the Aviation Board and all their colleagues across the Sector. The judges were extremely impressed by their nomination and the contribution they have made to the business.

Steve Coleman, RAF Halton’s Babcock Team Manager, said: “I am extremely proud of the team’s success. They have shown dedication and commitment by their hard work and long hours to keep not just RAF Halton safe, but other sites and organisations.”

Equitation Training Weekend

FS Keeley Martin who works within the Requirements Analysis Wing at the Central Training School and Flt Lt Tamsin Jessup who is Officer Commanding Accounts Flt were lucky enough to take part in the RAF Equitation Association Regional South Training in October. FS Martin brought her horse Zephyr along to the training event.

RAF Halton Supports Poppy Launch

RAF Halton personnel took part in a socially distanced Poppy Appeal at Paddington Train Station in London. The Royal British Legion have been supporting the Armed Forces and ex-serving personnel since 1921 and this year was no different.

Flight Sergeant Kelly Loder said: “I volunteer for the Poppy Appeal every year and am really glad that the poppy collection was able to go ahead this year despite the COVID-19 restrictions. The Royal British Legion do so much to support our community and it was wonderful to see so many RAF Halton personnel volunteering to ensure the charity raises as much money as possible to enable the charity to continue to support those in need.”

Station Commander’s Coin Presentation

Tammy Stoker and Sharlene LaBorde of Account Flt have each been awarded a Station Commander’s coin in a surprise visit recently.

Miss Stoker and Miss La Borde have worked extremely hard during COVID to bring the accounts up to date, and have prepared for the handover of a new OC PMS, OC Accounts and new Station Commander. With staff shortages and OC Accounts shielding, both ladies have strived to achieve above and beyond, covering off the gapped post between them whilst juggling child care, to ensure not only the mandatory work was completed, but also ensured improvements were made to the accounts processes to help all customers and the Chain of Command in the future. Supporting both a new OC PMS and OC Accounts has taken up a lot of their time, but they have ensured both are fully briefed on relevant policies on top of their already busy schedules.

RAF Association Remembrance Gift

Annually, the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) Headquartersrequests Branches to sponsor a Remembrance Cross. This year these crosses were due to be planted in the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey but due to the current lockdown restrictions the trip to London and the service in Westminster Abbey was cancelled. RAF Halton was chosen as a perfect alternative to display the RAFA Remembrance Crosses.