Our Stories in RAF News - "We represent all RAF Families"

We hear from someone who wants to know why the Families Federation appears to focus most of its attention on families in SFA and asks... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Defence Secretary looks to Heath and Education Budgets

The media is reporting that the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is looking to the Departments of Health and Education to shoulder some of the costs currently spent in these areas from the MoD budget. This move would alleviate... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Mental health support app for Service personnel (free)

A new iPhone app has been launched to provide serving Armed Forces personnel with mental health support and information. The app, called Joining Forces, is available to personnel all... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Trouble at RAF Waddington over Drones

There was widespread coverage at the weekend of demonstrations outside RAF Waddington against the Stn becoming the location for the control of the UK's armed remotely-piloted Reaper aircraft that operate in support of operations in Afghanistan. In response a MoD statement said... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

A story of everyday farming folk - The Archers - Afghan style

Lt Jo Nicholson, a Royal Naval Reservist has has put his farming background to good use while deployed in Afghanistan by creating 'Crops and the Farmer' a hit radio programme in Helmand Province inspired by The Archers. The show is broadcast in Pashtun on Radio Tamadoon, and provides advice and tips for... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

BAe146 C Mk3 arrives in theatre

BAe146 C Mk3 arrives in theatre. The RAF BAe146 C Mk 3, from RAF Northolt’s 32 (The Royal) Sqn, touched down for the first time in Theatre at Camp Bastion. A second Mk3 is due to arrive out there at the end of Apr. Although the Sqn have been operating the BAe146 CC Mk2 and HS125 in support of Ops Telic and Herrick for... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Check your personal equipment - "Dont die of embarrassment"

Troops are being reminded to check personal 'equipment' as part of a new campaign to raise awareness of male-specific diseases. Every year soldiers, sailors and airman are diagnosed with testicular cancer, which is becoming an ever-increasing... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Hailstones the size of golf balls ground RAF aircraft at Kandahar

A hail storm at Kandahar airfield has damaged and grounded RAF aircraft. It is reported that a freak storm with hailstones the size of golf balls have caused untold. More information  If you are accessing on a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

XIII Sqn at RAF Waddington now remotely controlling Reaper

XIII Sqn at RAF Waddington now remotely controlling Reaper. XIII Sqn at RAF Waddington stood up last year and is, as of this week, remotely controlling drones used to target insurgents in Afghanistan for the first time. From the new UAV hub at...  More information  If you are accessing on a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

The final assessment phase in a programme that could lead to the overhaul of MoD's equipment and support management has started. Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is the organisation that buys and supports all of the equipment used by the UK’s Armed Forces. A core element of the... More information  If you are accessing on a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF Divers remember the Liberator fallen

Personnel from RAF Wittering, Marham and Coningsby have laid a wreath beneath the waves of the Gibraltar coast. The wreath was laid in memory of those killed in the crash of a Liberator bomber on 4 July 1943. This bomber was carrying General Wladyslaw Sikorski, the Polish Prime Minister in exile at the time and his... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Flt Lt Loz Rushmere talks to Chris Evans re his planned flight in the Lancaster.

Flt Lt Loz Rushmere of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight spoke to Chris Evans on his Radio 2 breakfast show (25 Apr 13) about the plan to take Chris for a flight in the Lancaster on 17 May, when the aircraft will be flying in... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

VACANCIES

The RAF Families Federation is looking for 3 part-time Armed Forces Covenant Regional Co-ordinators Salary pro-rata £25,266... More information

Recruiting 16 year olds into the Armed Forces - a waste of tax payers money?

Recruiting 16 year olds into the Armed Forces - a waste of tax payers money?  Two human rights groups are calling for the 'outdated' practice of recruiting 16-year-olds into the Armed Forces to be stopped. The report cites the reason as 'a waste of tax payers money' because there is an extended training requirement; the drop-out rate is higher and they cannot engage in front-line activity until they are aged 18. In response the MoD said... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

ACM Stuart Peach hands over Joint Forces Command

Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach has handed over the leadership of Joint Forces Command (JFC) to Gen Richard Barrons. The creation of JFC, which reached full operating capability on 2 Apr 13, brings together more than 30,000... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Live Parliamentary Session: Educating the children of service personnel

These oral sessions continue the series:The Armed Forces Covenant in Action. Parts 3 & 4 are entitled 'Educating the Children of Service Personnel' and can be viewed on the Parliament website. Part 3 The witnesses in this 3rd session are the... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Royal salute for Her Majesty The Queen's 87th birthday

Royal salute for Her Majesty The Queen's 87th birthday.  The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the ceremonial saluting battery of the Household Division, fired a 41 Gun Royal Salute from Green Park at midday on the 22 Apr, in honour of Her Majesty The Queen's 87th birthday. The soldiers and... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Meteor Lift

A RAF Chinook helicopter has been brought in for lifting duties to move the Meteor Gate Guardian from the old RAF Innsworth, now Imjin Barracks, to its new home Gloucester Airport Museum, due to open in August. The three and half tonne... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link 

Damaged tablet computers and ipads - BFPO are changing policy

BFPO are seeing an increase in instances of damaged tablet computers/ipads because of insufficient packaging. BFPO has issued the following policy change to take effect 26 Apr 13: 'Senders are using... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF accused of 'blowing' £2million on attending airshow in the Far East

A piece in The Sun reports that the RAF has spent nearly £2 million to take part in an air show in Malaysia.  In response a statement from the MoD said: 'Four Typhoon fighter jets... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Celebrating 9 months in the air! - Flt Lt Bill Kenrick

Celebrating 9 months in the air! - Flt Lt Bill Kenrick. Flt Lt Bill Kenrick was met by RAF Benson Stn Cdr Nigel Colman as he stepped from his Merlin after clocking up a staggering 7000 hours, equivalent to over 9 months in the air. Bill is based at RAF Benson as a Training Officer with the Operational Conversion Flight of 28 (Army Co-operation) Sqn. His day job sees him... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Sir Chris Hoy is appointed Honorary Group Captain

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets are delighted to announce that six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy has accepted an invitation to become an Ambassador for the Organisation. Sir Chris has close family ties to the RAF, has flown in a... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Further roll-out of DIO Customer Assistance Points

Further roll-out of DIO Customer Assistance Points. Eleven more Customer Assistance Points (CAPs) are scheduled to open in the coming months. These are in addition to the three existing pilot offices at High Wycombe (opened Jun 12)  and Larkhill and Plymouth (opened Sep 12). The first weeks of April saw... More information  If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

MHS Vouchers for missed appointments

DIO has sought to clarify the circumstances in which SFA occupants can claim vouchers for MHS missed appointments. They say: If a customer has a verified missed appointment for a reactive or planned visit requiring access to the property, they are... More information  MOBILE DEVICES click here

The RAF is a Top 50 Employer of Women

The RAF has been awarded exemplary status as a Top 50 Employer of Women for the third consecutive year. The accolade was announced in The Times list of the top 50 companies, highlighting the RAF’s commitment to providing gender equality and a strong... More information

New aircraft and further capability for 32 (The Royal) Sqn

New aircraft and further capability for 32 (The Royal) Sqn. Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, has visited RAF Northolt to view two new short-medium range transport aircraft which have been added to the RAF fleet and are already involved in cargo and passenger operations in Afghanistan. The BAe 146 Mk 3 aircraft have... More information

The wind of change in Helmand

Senior British military officers described the progress being made in southern Afghanistan at a media briefing in London yesterday. Report by the MoD. Change is blowing through Helmand. It is not just... More information

The mixed multi-nation air contingent that is: Joint Warrior

The mixed multi-nation air contingent that is: Joint Warrior. More than 40 fixed-wing aircraft, 30 helicopters and 40 warships, from the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, France, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Germany, over 12,000 personnel are taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior this week. Conducted in the spring and autumn of each year the exercise provides... More information

Jeremy Clarkson lends his support to Hero Ride

Help for Heroes Patron Jeremy Clarkson has visited the Recovery Centre, Tedworth House, to meet troops who have been affected by life-changing injuries and illness and will benefit from crucial funds raised by the charity’s latest fundraising initiative: Hero Ride. Top Gear presenter Clarkson, who has been a... More information

Damp House causing Stress

Our Stories in RAF News - Damp House causing Stress. We hear from a serviceman who, not long after moving into SFA, noticed the development of condensation and mould. Thinking it was a 'lifestyle' issue he bought two dehumidifiers. Whilst this reduced the condensation, the mould continued to... More information

In the Jungle - 1(Fighter) Sqn and RAF Regiment working together

1(Fighter) Squadron from RAF Leuchars, have been flying Close Air Support training missions in the Malaysian jungle, working with RAF Regiment Joint Tactical Air Controllers (JTACs), to further develop Typhoon Multi-Role capability. The JTACs, who provide a critical link between... More information

A day of Military Precision

More than 700 Armed Forces personnel were involved in the funeral of Lady Margaret Thatcher which took place in central London. As always it was a day of military precision for the Armed Forces supported by the people of Britain. Following a short... More information

Take tea on the Spitfire Lawn with Adam Henson

SPITFIRE LAWN ATTRACTS TEA-TIME TREATS. Visitors to this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo will have the opportunity to enjoy some tea-time treats courtesy of one of the unsung heroines of World War Two Joy Lofthouse and a popular TV presenter Adam Henson. The airshow is inviting... More information

MoD announces the names of the bearer party for Baroness Thatcher

The MoD has announced the names of the bearer party who will carry the coffin of Baroness Thatcher at her funeral on Wed 17 Apr 13. The bearer party is made up of 8 personnel from all 3 Services, including those from... More information

Community Covenant Grant for Scouts and Guides at RAF Leeming

A Scouts and Guides unit in North Yorkshire has successful bid for funding from the Community Covenant Grant Scheme, the scheme established to support the Community Covenant and to fund local projects that bring together the civilian and Armed Forces communities. Through funding from the scheme... More information

Full details of the Armed Forces involvement in Baroness Thatcher's funeral

A full rehearsal of Baroness Thatcher's funeral took place in London in the early hours of this morning. Details of the Armed Forces' involvement in the funeral are as follows... More information

SSAFA Forces Help changes its name to ssafa

SSAFA Forces Help changes its name to ssafa. The charity SSAFA Forces Help has changed its name to SSAFA as part of a rebrand aimed at improving awareness of the charity amongst members of the Forces community. The charity say the rebrand is the culmination of... More information

Defence Committee issue report on the future of Afghanistan

The House of Commons Defence Select Committee have published their report on the future of Afghanistan which focuses on the planned withdrawal of combat troops by the end of 2014 and the transfer of responsibility for security to the Afghan National Security Forces. In response the MoD said... More details

The RAF Church has a role in Baroness Thatcher's Funeral

Downing Street have announced that the funeral of Baroness Thatcher will be a ceremonial funeral with full military honours and take place on Wed 17 Apr 13. A Downing Street statement said... More information

Afghan - UK Forces update

MoD update on UK Forces in Afghanistan. UK forces are deployed to Afghanistan in support of the UN-authorised, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission and as part of the... More information

Somewhere in England: Portraits of the Americans in Britain 1942 to 1945

A new temporary photographic exhibition featuring Second World War images not previously seen by the public opens on Sat 13 Apr 13. The exhibition forms part of IWM's year-long... More information

Horse Show for All courtesy of Forces Equine

Forces Equine is an online community dedicated to those in the Services and their families. In May this year Forces Equine is holding its first show, the Forces Equine Games. Jenny Naylor of Forces Equine said: "Unusually for a military show this will... More information

Plans for RAF aircraft to be used to evacuate Britons from South Korea

As tensions on the Korean peninsula grow the Sunday Express is reporting that the Foreign and Commonwealth office is putting in train plans to evacuate up to 3,000 British nationals from South Korea using... More information

Pay: What is your thinking?

Welcome to our survey asking for your views and comments on Pay & Quality of Life. This is YOUR chance to give YOUR opinions on PAY, Work/life balance, Service pension, Your own home, Leave entitlement, Deployment, Allowances, Debt and more... YOUR evidence will help inform the Armed Forces Pay Review Body when we present to them in the Autumn. Please complete this 5 minute survey TODAY! More information

April 1943 - Arrival of the US Eighth Air Force at RAF Duxford

April 1943 - Arrival of the US Eighth Air Force at RAF Duxford.  In April 1943, the 78th Fighter Group of the US Eighth Air Force moved into RAF Duxford and helped change the course of the Second World War. To commemorate this significant event Duxford are hosting a number of events and activities. Somewhere in England: Portraits of the... More information

Faith on the Frontline - The first RAF Reservist Chaplain deploys to Afghanistan

Faith on the Frontline - The first RAF Reservist Chaplain deploys to Afghanistan. More than 3,000 miles from his home parish in Kent, Reverend (Flt Lt) Matt Buchan has become the first RAF reservist chaplain to deploy to Afghanistan. Leaving behind the leafy green village of... More information

On the BBC - Thrilling real-life drama is business as usual for RAF Search and Rescue

A new series of Helicopter Rescue lands on BBC One Wales on 8 April and viewers will be able to experience the drama and suspense of thrilling rescue footage featuring... More information

Six months in...

RAF FF Director, Bill Mahon talks to Patrick Eade, BFBS, about how things are looking 6 mths into his tenure and how the Federation is tackling the issues. Bill also discusses pay, rebasing, loss of RAF SAR, NEM... More information

SFA occupants to benefit from assistance provided locally

Last year, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and MODern Housing Solutions (MHS) recognised the need to provide a means for Service families to talk face-to-face with DIO and MHS staff locally about their SFA in addition to the DIO Housing Allocations Service Centre (HASC) and the MHS... More information

Ever considered entering the Emergency Services Triathlon?

Ever considered entering the Emergency Services Triathlon? The Emergency Services Triathlon 2013 this year is helping support the RAF Benevolent Fund. The event takes place in Nottingham receives competitors from all services including RAF, Mountain Rescue, Army, RNLI, Police, Fire, Ambulance etc. The services compete against each other to become the overall winning... More information