RAF Halton

Honours and Awards

An Honours and Awards presentation ceremony was held in Halton House Officers’ Mess to recognise those personnel who have performed over and above what is expected of them.

The Royal Warrant was presented to Master Aircrewman Craig Peacock from Airman’s Command School, Long Service And Good Conduct Medals went to Sergeant Dan Dillon and Corporal Cheech Hodson from the Recruits Training Squadron and Corporal Joe Heard from the Initial Force Protection Training Flight and an Operational Medal was presented to Sergeant Murray Pickering RAF police.

Sadly, due to the current COVID guidelines no family or friends were in attendance, but all recipients were still celebrated for their achievements and professionalism by those in attendance.

Group Captain Startup said: “It was an honour to bestow these Honours and Awards to the very deserving personnel from RAF Halton. I am always amazed by the courageous, diverse and selfless efforts of members of the Royal Air Force and tremendously glad that they have been recognised in this way. The training conducted here is all the more rich as a result of the experience and relevance of our personnel, wherever they gain it and to whichever part of the Station they belong.”

RAF Halton Road Safety Campaign

RAF Halton Mechanical Transport (MT) Section staff have conducted winter safety car checks for Whole Force personnel during the Winter Road Safety Campaign.

The Babcock Military Transport Team (MT) kindly ensured that cars were fit for the winter months ahead, reassuring that both themselves and others on the road are safe.

The Station Commander, Group Captain Startup visited the team and made sure his car was checked.

Due to the interest generated, the Station Adjutant and the MT section will be looking to arrange additional car checks to cover as many personnel across Station as possible.

Station Sports Colours Presented

Station personnel have been awarded Sports Colours in a ceremony in Kermode Lecture Hall. They were presented with their ‘Colours’ by Station Commander, Group Captain Dan Startup.

RAF Sports Colours are presented to Personnel who have represented the Royal Air Force in their chosen sport.

The roll of honour reads, Cpl Symone Bromley received her RAF Sports Colours for Netball in 2017, Chf Tech David Duff received two awards for Canoeing in 2018 and 2019. Cpl Rachel Griffiths was awarded for Athletics in 2019 and SAC Yasmin Kaashoek for Volleyball 2018.

Finally, Cpl Craig Makin received Colours for Judo in 2019 and Cpl Luke Williams for Canoeing in 2019.

Group Captain Startup said: “Congratulations to all of the recipients here who qualify for the Sports Colours through their determination and resolve in an effort to win. I hope that they are able to inspire all those around them to be ambassadors for both the RAF and Defence.”

Good News for WC Eklund

Congratulations to Wg Cdr Dylan Eklund, a member of the RAF Reserves for 20 years, who received ‘RAF Communicator of the Year’ at the Company Of Communicators Annual Military Awards. The award was virtually presented by the Lord Mayor of London in recognition of the work Wg Cdr Eklund has done for Air Media& Communications (M&C) to head-up the Covid Content Generation Team as part of the RAF’s overall Covid response effort.

He commanded a team made up from a mix of existing Air M&C and Regular RAF personnel, Media Reserves and Civil Servants and quickly established what was required, where the gaps were, what the needs were and what the content gathering and publishing process would look like. Within 24 hours of standing up, his team was generating a steady flow of high quality, highly informative and highly valued content to a worried, confused and increasingly remote audience and projected a clear and positive picture of the RAF’s National response.

Commandant General Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Ranald Munro CBE TD VR DL said: “I am delighted that Dylan received this award. He played a key role this year in keeping RAF activities and operations in the public eye. His work demonstrates the skills and professionalism inherent within RAF Reserves.”

Wg Cdr Eklund said: “I am very honoured to have received the award and pleased that, as a Reservist, I was able to make a useful contribution to the operation”.

Lynne's Skydive

Lynne Whinnerah, a Civil Servant within Station Management Squadron at RAF Halton recently took part in a sky diving challenge to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Lynne said: “I have been a Civil Servant for the past four years, but I have been in

and around the Military for 18 years now. On 14 August I took part in a sponsored Tandem Sky Dive to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund. I have wanted to do a sky dive but never actually thought that I would, however, my husband had other ideas and decided to buy me one last Christmas. I decided if I was going to overcome my fear of heights I would do it for a worthy cause and one close to my heart hence raising money for the Benevolent Fund.

“I had to travel to Devon for the dive, luckily the weather was absolutely perfect! After waiting for three hours I was lucky enough to get on the first plane, travelling to 15,000 feet my nerves kicked in and I honestly did not think that I could go ahead with it. Thanks to my persuasive instructor I got to the edge of the plane where I had my first glimpse of what I was about to do, the air was blue and not the colour! Before I knew it I was soaring through the air experiencing a feeling I will never experience again, amazement, fear and a sense of achievement”.

A huge well done to Lynne who managed to raise £680 for the Benevolent Fund who support all serving and former members of the RAF, their partners and dependents.

Ken runs for SSAFA

Ken Ivory, a Sgt in P1, completed a 50 k race in November. He was supposed to run the race earlier in the year but due to Covid Lockdown it was postponed. However he still had the option to complete the event virtually or choose to run the distance anywhere and at any time of day between 9 and 29 November. He decided to run the original course, three loops of just over 10 miles and as there were no racing officials his car had to double up as the checkpoint, start and finish. He started at 0700 which enabled him to complete the course in daylight and with in the maximum time of 9.5 hours.

“Ken said: “Due to the horrendous weather, stormy with torrential rain it was hard going but extremely satisfying to complete.

“I am completing the event for the charity SSAFA, for which I’ve had the honour of being treasurer for the last 27 years. I would be grateful for any financial support as this charity is at the forefront of helping servicemen and women in and out of the Service, the link is below.

“I’ve always loved running cross country and after finally breaking the 3 hour barrier for the marathon in 2008 I needed to find another challenge. So I ran marathons and further all over the world; Portugal, The Alps, The Himalayas, Germany and South Africa. The challenge is to test myself without becoming permanently injured”.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ KennethIvory

https://centurionrunning.com/races/ wendover-woods-night-50km-2020

Military Co-Responders

The RAF Halton Co-Responder Team was established in 2005 and is open to all ranks, trades and civil servants.

RAF Halton hosts 2 x Blue Light Rapid Response Vehicles to respond to 999 life threatening medical emergencies.

The team aims to arrive prior to a full time ambulance crew in order to save lives.

To see video of Military Co-Responders at work, visit Forces TV – https://youtu.be/ KgGuoZvU9js

Arnold Fly Out of Basic Training

Air Vice-Marshall Warren James was the Reviewing Officer for the Graduation Parade of Arnold Intake as they completed 10 weeks of Basic Recruit Training at Recruit Training Squadron, RAF Halton in early December.

They marched out on to the Henderson Parade Square on a chilly dull day, suitably socially distanced, behind Flight Commander, Flight Lieutenant Becky Russell and led by Flight Staff.

The Intake was graced by a fly past by a Hawk aircraft from 100 Squadron RAF Leeming. Reverend (Wg Cdr) Mitchell conducted the prayers of dedication.

Operation Christmas Child

RAF Halton are proud to have been involved with Operation Christmas Child this year and thanks to the excellent efforts of Sergeant Consterdine, the Recruit Training Squadron collected an impressive 110 shoe boxes and raised over £420! The aim of Operation Christmas Child is to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children less fortunate and spread joy around the world.