Our Stories in RAF News - The added pitfall of a Pension Sharing Order

Periodically in RAF News the Federation uses the evidence someone has provided to illustrate a topic of concern. The cases illustrate where policy is deemed as not quite fair or is outdated, or where there is disadvantage purely because that someone is a member of an RAF family. In this edition a correspondent wishes to point out the added pitfalls of a Pension Sharing Order for the Serving member. An out of pocket individual wishes to draw the attention of Service personnel to the added financial burden of a pension sharing order.  In his case he agreed…Click here

2012 BFBS Big Salute Charity Auction goes Live

BFBS Radio begin their Big Salute auction on Fri 5 Oct. And today (Wed 26 Sep 12) more than 60 auction items go live on eBay A Manchester United shirt signed by Rio Ferdinand; a meet and greet with Status Quo; a short break in Cyprus, tickets to watch the filming of Celebrity Juice, a riding lesson with Olympian Lucinda Fredericks – these are just a few of the exclusive items up for grabs...More information »

Our Stories in RAF News - Second Class Citizen or what?

An outraged family member tells of her disgust at having her Dependant's Pass taken from her by the RAF Police on the gate with no warning and no explanation, only that the policy had changed and these passes were no longer valid. She said: "I was made to feel very much like a second-class citizen and it angered me and my serving husband in equal measure, particularly in light of the years of support I have given to the Service..." More info

The last week - Please add your vote!

We have so far received an enthusiastic response to our survey looking specifically at the support given to RAF Families - if you have not already voted we would really like to hear from you.  The RAF FF is preparing to engage with the RAF and those who provide welfare.  In this survey we explore the support that is available to RAF families. What do RAF families  expect?  Are these...Click here

School names Wing after Excluded Pupil turned Hero

Students were encouraged to 'grasp every opportunity' by a RAF Military Cross hero at the opening of a new school wing named after him. Sgt David Hayden was guest of honour at Sir John Gleed School in Spalding -the same school that excluded him years before... He said: "It was a bit of a shock... and I can't thank the school enough. It has the potential to change lives without a shadow of a doubt because it is taking the time..More information »

Thetford HASC offline - Mon 24 Sep 12

We have received the following information for the DIO Ops team: "In order to carry out essential maintenance, the Thetford HASC IT system will be offline on Mon 24 Sep 12. 'The phone lines will remain open, however, customers should be aware that HASC staff may not have full access to details relating to their enquiry. 'It would be advisable for any non-urgent calls to be made from 8.30am on Tue 25 Sep 12...More information »

Finding you have a Baby on Ops

There have been widespread media reports of the birth of a baby boy to a UK servicewoman at Camp Bastion Field Hospital in Afghanistan. Some reports are calling for mandatory pregnancy testing of all female Service personnel before deployment. In response the MoD said: "It is the individual's responsibility to inform the chain of command of any changes to their medical condition...All female personnel are asked...More information »