RAF Halton Editor's Note: Many of the stories included Station Commander's Coins on pages 28-29 were taken from the RAF Many teams and individuals received Station Halton Facebook page www.facebook.com/ Commander's Coins in December. Among RoyalAirForceHalton. Accompanying images them: crown copyright unless noted. The Community Support staff at the Trinity Christmas Cards of Kindness Community Centre have been awarded After a tough year this year, staff from with a Station Commander’s Coin for their the Airmen’s Development Flight (ADF) dedication to supporting Royal Air Force along with a section of SATT’s (Servicemen Halton staff and families over the COVID awaiting Trade Training) stationed at Pandemic. Group Captain Dan Startup RAF Halton decided they wanted to give praised Mrs Fern, Mrs Smith and Mrs something back to the local community this Holdsworth and said "This team is a key part Christmas by taking part in a project called of the Station and the very anchor that holds ‘Christmas Cards of Kindness’. At the end of everyone together with endless community November staff member Cpl Michelle Jones spirit. These coins are very well earned and from ADF and a team of SATT’s took it upon are just a small token of my appreciation". themselves to craft various letters, poems and homemade Christmas cards all to go to Mrs Tracey McNulty, who is part of the residents at local care homes this December. Contract Monitoring Team. Tracey has Cpl Jones said: “The SATT’s thoroughly gone above and beyond these last few enjoyed getting involved in this project and months with her unwavering support to the produced some very heart-warming and Station Catering Liaison Officer during the thoughtful homemade cards, which were pandemic. Along with her normal tasking very much appreciated this Christmas.” for the Contract Monitoring Team she has assisted in ensuring the collection of RO-RO Alzheimer’s Society skips and medical waste, provided assurance Charity Collection checks of all the retail outlets and much Personnel Management more. Most importantly, she has provided Squadron (PMS) staff at the team with high levels of energy and RAF Halton have been morale. Warrant Officer Sarah Hammond, collecting money for who nominated Tracey, said: “Tracey has the Alzheimer's Society been an invaluable member of the team dressed as Christmas with her ‘can do’ attitude”. elves. Collecting money on the gates in the chilly Sergeant (Sgt) Paul Topping, Station weather, they brought a bit of festive cheer Management Squadron, for his services to to the station and received lots of laughs and the Station delivery and output. His citation some money too! was delivered by Group Captain Startup, The Alzheimer's Society has encouraged who commented: “Sgt Topping is a natural people throughout the UK to ‘unleash their deliverer, from making displays for the inner elf’ to help raise funds to support front of SHQ including reindeer antlers for people with Dementia who have been cut the Hunter gate guard and silhouettes for off from their families during the pandemic. Remembrance, to making stands for the Medals and Awards to sit on during Honours Sergeant Kelly Loder, (Personnel Support and Awards Ceremonies, which he does the Flight) said: “I’m grateful for everyone who majority of in his own time. He is always dressed up and braved the cold, as well as ready to help out whether it be shopping for all those who contributed to our fundraising. colleagues isolating or picking up a coffee The charity is very close to my heart as my to make someone smile.” Sgt Topping also uncle has been diagnosed.” played a key role in the facilitating of the The PMS staff have raised £200 so far which Covid-19 response. His efforts have drawn will go towards the Alzheimer's Society’s praise from Wing Commander Hough and response to COVID; funding calls from Public Health England who visited the Dementia advisors to sufferers, maintaining facility and signed it off for use saying they the Dementia support line as well as combating were: 'Impressed with what Sgt Topping had loneliness, with over 1,500 volunteers. produced'. 28
Wendover News February 2021
Sergeant Adam Bayfield, Sergeant Charlotte Elson and Sergeant Benjamin Hawes, who were nominated for their support to the Station’s Covid Response. Aside from providing the real-life support for the Covid Isolation Support Cell (CISC), they have constantly worked with different sections of the Station to boost the morale of the isolating recruits. They organised meetings and chats between recruits and padres, liaised with gym staff to coordinate workout plans for asymptomatic isolating recruits, which helped them to keep up their fitness levels while isolating. Flying Officer Suman Garewal, Second in Command of Station Management Section (SMS), who nominated them, said: “I have worked with them for four weeks and they have consistently impressed me with their pro-activeness and productivity; especially for Sgts who have only been out of Phase Two training for eight weeks. They have been crucial in the running of CISC, which has provided real life support to Personnel in isolation providing sections on Station with the capacity to focus on their key outputs and peace of mind that their personnel were supported. It was an absolute pleasure to work with all three of them and they have inspired me and other team members of CISC to go above and beyond.” Sally Phillips who works in the RAF Halton Station Workshops. Sally is someone who encapsulates the epitome of professionalism with her consistent attention to detail and management of the throughput of the Station Workshop taskings. Station Warrant Officer Andrea Culley, who nominated Sally, said “Sally is always a pleasure to deal with and no task is ever too great. Her ability to work seamlessly within the Workshops team is testimony to her positive work ethos and in my opinion she is well deserving of a RAF Halton Commanding Officer's coin.”
Santa Run
Wednesday 16 Dec was the annual Santa Run at RAF Halton! The wet and windy weather didn’t deter the 8 teams of 6 runners and lots of four legged racers joined in the fun too!
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