606 Squadron member starts in a new role.

Warrant Officer Andrew Bailey joined the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1973 and retired after a little under 23 years in 1996. During this period he served in Germany, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Kenya, Canada, Norway the UK. Following a short period out of uniform he enlisted in the RAuxAF in 1997, joining the newly formed Helicopter Support Sqn (now 606 sqn) at RAF Benson as a Sgt Supplier.
Following a recruit course and trade training he was promoted to Flight Sergeant and was appointed Sqn WO in 1999. During his time as Sqn WO he also held the appointment as Station WO RAF Benson for 4 months in 2001. On return to the Sqn he was immediately mobilised for 4 months as the first Deployed Operating Base WO at Seeb in Oman for OP VERITAS.
Returning to 606 Sqn he was once again mobilised to Joint Helicopter Force (IRAQ) as Force WO and J4 WO for Op Telic 2. Following a short period back with 606 Sqn, during which time he trained as a Mobile Air Operations Team Leader (MAOT), he deployed to Belize with 230 Sqn in support of an Infantry Battle Group on pre deployment training. Shortly after his return from this deployment he was mobilised once again to serve as the MAOT on OP Herrick 6 and 7 in Helmand for 8 months.
On returning to UK he left 606 Sqn in 2008 and took up a post as MAOT on FTRS terms of service. During his 3 year tour as a full time MAOT he has deployed to Morocco, Iraq, The Falklands, USA, Afghanistan, Jordan and Germany as well as conducting numerous exercises with Infantry Battle Groups on their pre-deployment training.
WO Bailey was awarded the Queens Volunteer Reserve Medal in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List. On completion of his FTRS MAOT contract WO Bailey assumed the appointment of Command WO (Res) on 1st June 2011.



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Down Amongst The Brambles, Ewelme Brook

On Saturday 12 March 2011 personnel from 606 (Chiltern) Squadron, RAuxAF based at RAF Benson cleared overhanging vegetation from the stretch of the brook opposite the cedars. For some time now that section of the brook has been overgrown and views of this village feature have been severely restricted.




Tom Stevenson, Parish Councilor asked Sergeant Winstanley from 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Operations Flight, who supports local community projects, if he could help. This resulted in almost the entire Operations Flight from the Squadron donning wellies to help with the project. The work was completed with vigour and gusto by the Operations Flight with help from Dave Rushton of the Parish Council and other villagers. It opens up this part of the brook, improves the view and, hopefully will enable much easier maintenance as well as reducing the possibility of flooding.




606 (Chiltern) Squadron based at RAF Benson main role is to provide a pool of trained personnel to augment and reinforce the RAF Support Helicopter Force, which is part of the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command, however, they do undertake voluntary work when possible, especially to benefit the local community.

Three Amigos together at Camp Bastion

Three of the five members of 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, currently deployed on Operation HERRICK, recently met up whilst serving with the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) (JHF(A). All three are part-time reservist personnel mobilised to serve alongside their regular counterparts. All will return to their civilian careers when they have completed their tour of duty.

Senior Aircraftsman Les Parren BEM and Senior Aircraftsman Tom Baxendale are serving as Passenger Handlers, ensuring that troops, equipment and other vital supplies are correctly loaded onto the Merlin, Chinook and Sea King aircraft of the Joint Helicopter Force for transport throughout Helmand province. They are joined by Senior Aircraftswoman Sarah Burgess.

Senior Aircraftsman Jim Izzard is nearing the end of his tour with the Tactical Supply Wing, where he has been employed carrying out the essential task of refuelling all of the aircraft of the JHF(A) and those of other coalition partners.

A GREAT START TO THE YEAR

January 2011

events

12/13 Feb Trg weekend 19/20 Feb FOA training 12/13 Mar Trg weekend

A new basic recruit course - Transferees from 3 other squadrons - A clean sweep on the RAF Regiment Operational Fitness Assessment - CCS passes for Logistics Flight

A great start to the New Year with one of the busiest weekends I can remember. With over 100 people in for the weekend from all flights this really shows the diversity of what you can all deliver. Hats off to the training team for planning such a good programme, even against the challenges of last minute additions! This is the first of what may well be a monthly newsletter, depends on how its received. You know that I am constantly looking at how we communicate with you and where we can improve, so please feedback on your thoughts. Do you prefer an email, posted letter or perhaps just a text message from your trade trainer? Let us know.

Our latest Basic Recruit Course began on Friday afternoon, starting in the gym for the RAFFT, prior to signing on and commencing their training. So there are 11 new faces to 606 and the RAuxAF, I know you will all look out for them and assist if they look lost or worried.

Most of you will also have met the ladies and gents that have transferred across to 606 from their posts on other role support

squadrons. Again a warm welcome to them all. I hope you will all enjoy your time on 606 (Chiltern) Sqn.

OC 606