Well done Sgt Hobbs

POTFULS OF CASH RAISED FOR RAF CHARITY

Pot Noeldle announces £25,000 has been raised at exclusive comedy event

Booming sales of Pot Noeldle, the charity Christmas Dinner flavour from Pot Noodle, has helped raise thousands of pounds for British troops. At Pot Noeldle's 'Stand Up for the RAF' charity gig in Manchester on 8th December, host Keith Lemon and Pot Noodle's Tom Denyard presented the RAF's Sgt Ian Hobbs, currently serving on 606 (Chiltern) Squadron, with a donation of £25,000 for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal. Sgt Hobbs came up with the idea when serving in Afghanistan, and through a radio interview the project came to life. The money will help to improve life for RAF personnel serving in Afghanistan, including giving them more telephone talk-time to call home.








2p from every Pot Noeldle sold in the UK and funds raised at the exclusive comedy event starring Keith Lemon, Rufus Hound and Pot Noodle favourite, Jarred Christmas will be donated to the RAF charity. If you missed out on the cracking night of Christmas comedy, head to facebook.com/potnoodle for video clips and gossip from the night.

Pot Noodle's Tom Denyard says, 'Sales of the Pot Noeldle have been a fantastic success and we couldn't be more chuffed with the amount we have managed to raise, what a brilliant Christmas present for our troops!'

VIP guests on the night included over 40 members of the RAF who enjoyed the charity comedy gig along with lucky competition winners and celebs such as Sam Branson, Charlie Boorman, Hollyoakers, Corrie cast and 90's pop sensation Kavana. One lucky winner with the best one liner was chosen by Keith Lemon and had their face printed onto a limited edition Pot Noeldle as part of the 'Bunch of Jokers' competition.








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Did'nt think the idea would take off, good luck all

JACK fm Oxfordshire Press Release 'Buttock Clenching Radio' as Oxfordshire's 106 JACKfm deploys to Afghanistan After over 12 months of planning, this weekend Oxfordshire's 106 JACKfm's entire breakfast team of 4, 'JACK's Morning Glory' deploys to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan for a UK local radio first. The team will spend a whole week living amongst our military personnel whilst presenting their daily live breakfast show to those back in the UK. The project has been officially endorsed by The Prime Minister David Cameron who personally phoned 106 Jack FM's breakfast show to wish the team good luck and asked JACK's Morning Glory to pass on a message of how proud he was of our servicemen and women. Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson has also lent his support, calling with a message of encouragement for everyone at Bastion.Unfortunately as he tried to allay the team's fears about the flight, he ended up telling them about the 'buttock clenching landing' and the time a 'heat seeking missile' was fired at him. 106 JACKfm presenters Trevor Marshall, Sue Carter and Greg Burke will experience life in Camp Bastion whilst their roving reporter Rosie Tratt will visit another Main Operating Base at Lashkar Gah. The show will broadcast live to Oxfordshire from the BFBS studios within the camp between 6am and 9am each morning. The team has been granted access not only to serving personnel, but also the little known areas of the camp in order to show what life is really like 'inside and outside the wire'. They'll be doing this not just on air, but also online via the custom-built website http://afghanistan.jackfm.co.uk. The site, which is now live, will feature video, audio, Twitter and Facebook updates uploaded daily from camp, focusing on daily life and the great work our British forces are doing to rebuild Afghanistan. Programme Director Sue Carter said: "Between us in the team going out, we've got over 50 years of radio experience, and it's definitely the biggest thing any of us have ever been involved with. We just hope we can bring our audience throughout Oxfordshire a taste of what life in Afghanistan is really like for the thousands of our guys and girls who are serving out there." The broadcast would not be possible without the support of our major partner The Royal British Legion as well as The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS).

Backroom boys and girls make a difference.

The true value of 606 Squadron is often seen only in staff deployed overseas, but behind the scenes another layer of support exists to assist the RAF in maintaining its vital presence. The training weekend on Saturday saw Logistics hard at work in the Technical Stores preparing a very large consignment for the MOD. This work was pure muscle (and of course the usual Logistics` brains and common sense!) as the fork lifts were unavailable. By 1700 on Saturday afternoon the centre aisle of Tech Stores was a mountain of carefully `picked` items all correctly attached to the right paperwork. This will have released the Regulars on Monday to do other vital work as they would simply have to load the goods onto the transport. On Sunday the 606 Logistics` lads and lasses were back in the Clothing Stores undertaking a stocktake. This went extremely well and threw up a number of discrepancies, both over and under, for the regular Suppliers to address on Monday. In each of the above jobs there are multiple positives.

1) 606 gets vital hands on experience

2) 606 gets a great sense of `participation` in being part of the RAF Family

3) The Regulars gain time to perform additonal work

4) The Regulars understand that 606 are not `weekend warriors` but a cohesive unit well trained and able to give them vital support.

There was a great sense of satisfaction in the Logistics team on Sunday evening and we all went away with a spring in our step.

Corporal Fisher

Getting just a little bit more coverage.....

The Independent on Sunday has recently featured just a little piece of 606 (Chiltern) Sqn.

Through our links with local commercial Radio station Jack FM, we managed to get the Jeep Wrangler we use for recruiting activities featured. The vehicle provided in association with Jeep Oxford has been used throughout the region this summer attracting attention and showing what the RAF Reserves do.

Full story is at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/gooood-morning-afghanistan-and-abingdon-and-bicester-2133460.html

Good luck guys and girls enjoy the trip and make loads of great radio!!

RAF Benson Reservist receives award in the City of London

Acting Sergeant Malcolm 'Reg' Goodall from 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force has recently been awarded the Mrs Patricia Brain/ Lightmongers Merit award. The trophy is awarded annually to a person that has contributed over and above to unit activities.

Acting Sergeant 'Reg' Goodall is one of those sorts of people that every commander needs, he never fails to deliver, and always does so with a smile on his face. A member of 606 since its formation in 1996 he has deployed overseas to Iraq, and is always at the forefront of squadron activities. As a Motor Transport Driver he is responsible for moving the key elements of the helicopter force during training, exercises or on operations. His recent move into the management team has seen him oversea the transport requirements for numerous squadron deployments, all that have run without a hitch. Finally not only happy with his own output, he is key to the training of newer squadron drivers, he is able to pass on his great knowledge and experience to all around him.







Acting Sergeant Goodall was presented with his award by Baroness Betty Bothroyd at the Annual Company Installation dinner held at the Haberdashers Hall, Smithfield.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Per Ardua - 10 new members of the RAF Regiment

Ten RAF Regiment Gunners of 606 (Chiltern) Squadron have returned to RAF Benson having passed a gruelling exercise, and graduated earning the much sought after RAF Regiment ‘mudguards’ to be worn on their uniform.

They have spent two weeks at RAF Honnington in Suffolk where they joined other RAF Reservists on a course run by 2623 Sqn.


10 members plus instructors on return to RAF Benson

Exercise OMEGA brings together training taught at squadron level before attending the two week period, and also some new skills. Trainee Gunners are expected to use their weapon training, battle preparation and patrol skills in order to defend RAF assets worldwide. Throughout final exercise lasting five days personnel are really tested both physically and mentally. Both become harder due to a lack of sleep as time goes on. Leading Aircraftsman Martin Ocock, aged 30 from Feltham found the best bits of the course to be ’ all of our time on the ranges and the river crossing exercise’. Leading Aircraftsman Robbie Leishman, aged 20 from Didcot added ‘it was great to be part of the final attack at the end of the exercise, and earning the mudguards was a very proud moment’.


Members of the section whilst on the end of course exercise


Leading Aircraftsman Kevin Mason aged 39 from Tamworth was selected as best student out of the 26 members on the course. This is a great honour both for him and 606 Squadron. 'For a member of our flight to do so well on the sort of exercise is great news for 606’ said Officer Commanding Squadron Leader Gary Lane. ‘All that took part put in great amounts of effort and to have this title given to one of our team is very pleasing’. Mason is a production Assistant at Jaguar Cars and felt that ‘the teamwork that RAF Reserve service requires is useful in his day job’.


LAC Mason on exercise


Fortunately the course members were lucky enough to receive air support in the form of Merlin, Puma and Chinook helicopters from RAF Benson and Odiham. It adds great realism to their training which prepares them for service overseas if that is required.

All participants will now return to their civilian jobs before returning to Benson for their next training weekend in November where they can use some of their new learnt skills.

Back to Halton one week after the last trip

But todays trip to the home of RAF training was for a very different reason, today it was to mark the end of another Basic Recruit Training Course, and the graduation of the newest members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. A total of 26 completed the course, 8 of which are members of 606 Sqn.

New recruits into the RAuxAF are first given training at their home units for between 2 and 3 weekends. Once they have completed the pre study required they attend a 2 weeks residential phase at RAF Halton in Bucks. During this period they under take an exam to confirm the information they have previously learnt and then move onto a number of new subjects. These include the field skills required to operate alongside their regular colleagues should that be required. The key areas are weapon handling using the Individual Weapon, First Aid and working within a Chemical, Nuclear and Biological environment. At the end of the course these skills are tested in a deployed field exercise run by the regular RAF instructors.



AC Bryer from Hythe in Kent has joined 606 to become a Flight Ops specialist she commented 'I have learned a lot about myself and come away with fresh enthusiasm for my career in teaching'.

AC West-Letford from Bracknell is a chef in his civilian career, but on 606 he will be trained to become an RAF Regiment Gunner. He found the best bit of the course to be the end of course exercise 'putting everything we learnt together, plus it was great fun at the same time'. When asked what parts of the course may be useful at work he thought the first aid, primarily 'for when young chefs start chopping their fingers'.

The next training for all those that graduated today will be at their home units, normally for one weekend a month until they are fully qualified in their chosen trades.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Great news for 606 Squadron photographer.

Senior Aircraftman James Stier is celebrating today after success in the annual RAF Photographic Competition.




SAC Stier, a 27 year old reservist who serves as the Squadron Photographer with 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), won a total of three awards including the prestigious “PR Photograph of the Year” award for a photograph of a Merlin helicopter conducting pre-deployment in El Centro, California before deployment to Afghanistan. Described as “a talented young reservist” by his Commanding Officer, SAC Stier also won the video category for the 606 Squadron promotional video filmed during a Squadron training exercise.

The video can be seen at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_goWj1k3AhA&feature=youtube_gdata_player




James joined the RAuxAF in July 2008 and has been the Squadron Photographer with 606 Squadron since then where he has taken part in numerous training exercises. The winning image was taken during his deployment on behalf of his home Station, RAF Benson, to Exercise MERLIN VORTEX in El Centro, California. He obtained a significant number of images to reflect the environmental and tactical pre-deployment training that the Merlin Force were undertaking prior to their first deployment in support of Operation HERRICK in Afghanistan.







James is a photographer in his civilian life but, as James explains, the role he completes in the RAuxAF can be quite different:

“It’s hard to compare as both roles bring vastly different challenges. As a civilian my role is always changing, especially now with moving image. In the RAF it’s great to know I can always be hands on with the camera doing what I enjoy the most, without have to focus on some of the downsides to running your own company. My RAF career also pushes me in different ways; the motivation isn't business focused, it’s more about the people and the way the public interpret the work they undertake. I see firsthand what an amazing job all military personnel do, and being able to show that through my work is constant motivation.”

Originally from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, SAC Stier currently commutes to his commitments with 606 Squadron from his home in Sheffield. James was motivated to join the RAF to challenge himself further than he can outside the Armed Forces. He explains, “After I got back from working in Asia on a project that saw the production team walk from east to west of the Himalayas in some really tough conditions, I knew that I wanted to push myself in similar ways, and the RAF provides those challenges. The full time regular forces did appeal to me but the reserves allows me to keep developing my business, without sacrificing all that I’ve worked for. Plus working with helicopters is cool.”




The competition celebrates the production of some of the finest Royal Air Force imagery from the past year, which culminates in an awards ceremony at the historic Royal Air Force Club in London. The awards were presented by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton. He said ‘The competition entries this year are fantastic and showcase not only the talent of our Royal Air Force Photographers but also the tremendous capability of our people and equipment. These dynamic images reflect the breadth of Service life and the critical contribution that our personnel are making to global operations, in particular our support to operations in Afghanistan.’

Photographs (all images MoD Crown Copyright):

Top – Senior Aircraftman James Stier, 606 Squadron Photographer

Middle – Senior Aircraftman Stier’s winning image, entitled “Over the Desert” and depicting a Merlin crewman training over the Californian desert during the Afghanistan pre-deployment training exercise dubbed ‘Exercise MERLIN VORTEX’

Bottom – Senior Aircraftman Stier in action on a 606 Squadron training weekend

Editor: Nikki Hamilton, RAF Benson



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A great weekends training on exercise Halton Kite

So we have just returned from another training weekend for RAF Reservists this time we made the short journey across to RAF Halton.

The idea of the weekend was to split people into a number of small sections that would then carry out some leadership, personal development and air power study training. All agreed that it was a great way to spend a weekend and made everybody that little bit more aware of where the fit into a team and what they can contribute.

First task build the accommodation for the weekend.







Then it was off to the recently renovated WW1 trench system that was used for training before departing to the front line.








Some really eye opening facts were put across, especially as one of the squadron members present had a relative that had passed through the system on his training.







Next onto a bit of studying and discussion on the use of Air Power in history, if we don't know where we have come from how can we know where we are going, so this was a great eye opener for some.








Like all military exercises we can always find time for a bit of drill, just to keep the mind occupied of course.









Then into Friday evening with a local navigation exercise, not a great distance around Wendover Woods, but enough to get the teams working together.















But after a few hours out on the hill its back to our great chefs for some hot soup. What would we do without these guys.







After a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning it was a chance to really challenge those fears and get onto the high ropes course.







The facility is just great with challenges to meet all skill levels, even the leap of faith!







Sunday saw some more traditional Leadership and Command task work. This is key to making Squadron staff valuable members of the military. As our personnel will always deploy as individuals it's key that they can fit into existing teams.






Some employers would pay quite a lot for this sort of training, we are lucky that we can provide this as part of being a member of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.






The weekend finished off with a parade and medal presentation to 11 members of 606 Squadron, either for service in Afghanistan or for Long Service with the RAF Reserves. Some of these guys were being recognised for 15 years service!






A great weekend for all of those present, and lots of thought provoking activities to be used in the future.

Sqn staff prepare for a weekends training

Once again it looks like the bi-annual Sqn exercise will be graced with good weather.




606(Chiltern) Sqn staff are preparing for a weekend of leadership and team development training.

Expect images and feedback from the weekend to be posted here as the days progress.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sqn cyclists hand over more than £1500

Members of 606 (Chiltern) Squadron have recently handover more than £1500 to the British Heart Foundation, in memory of one of their fallen colleagues.

Corporal John Peacock sadly died in June 2009 of an unexpected heart attack whilst training with the RAF Benson based unit.

John from near Witney had been a member of 606 for many years and had seen service in Iraq during the invasion process and most recently served in the Falkland Islands, he was training for his next tour this time in Afghanistan.

Colleagues from Benson cycled from the home of the Tactical Supply Wing at MOD Stafford to RAF Benson a distance of nearly 130 miles.



A cheque was recently handed to the British Heart Foundation, together with Johns parents.

MT Drivers get their hands on new trucks.

Motor Transport drivers from the Logistics Flight of 606 Squadron have spent a weekend honing their skills using the new into service MAN Support Vehicles.



Drivers from 606 are employed supporting the Joint Helicopter Force across the globe, and training on this new type of vehicle is vital to keeping their skills current.



A long drive from the base in Oxfordshire to a training area in Hampshire, followed by some off road driving and camouflage and concealment training gave the drivers a chance to get used to using some of the new equipment on the vehicle.

A weekend of Adventurous Training.

Between 6th and 8th August 2010, sixteen members of 606 Squadron’s Operations flight accompanied by two RAF instructors tackled some of Snowdonia’s toughest hill walks, whilst carrying full kit for the weekend.
The Adventurous Training (AT) activities were planned by the flight in June on the basis of providing a physically challenging walking route and instilling self-sufficiency through wild camping; with all clothing, cooking equipment, rations, sleeping and shelter systems being carried by individuals throughout the weekend.
The limits of minibus travel and Friday evening logistics ensured arrival and pitching of tents after midnight on the first day. After the group located some of the slightly less rocky and vertical parts of the hillside next to Llyn Ogwen and got to sleep, the tents and bivvies were thoroughly tested by the overnight weather.



On Saturday, the team set off to the Devil’s Kitchen via Llyn Idwal, climbing to 700m and passing between the peaks of Y Garn and Glyder Fawr before descending to the Llanberis Pass. Following a transit to Pen-y-Pass after encountering adverse weather, camp was set up next to Llyn Cwm-y-ffynnon. On Sunday, Glyder Fawr itself was tackled, involving an ascent to 1000m and difficult progress over a very rocky summit. A careful descent was made into the Ogwen valley to link up with transport back to RAF Benson.



Each member of the group found their own challenges: for some it was their first time hill walking or wild camping. For some the physical challenge of 10,000ft of height change and 10 miles whilst carrying everything for the weekend was particularly strong. For others the challenge was to motivate and help others, to get the whole team safely across the route. And for one or two it was just staying positive in the rain and fog on the first day!



However, the group were eventually rewarded with bright sunshine on Sunday and spectacular views across the mountains and valleys of Snowdonia. As with most good things, if it’s too easy it isn’t worth doing and that particularly goes for AT.



SAC Gary Belben, 606 Squadron (Operations Flight)

So what do 606 do when they are overseas?

606 (Chiltern) Sqn staff are employed in many roles when serving overseas, this is just a little insight into the life of a Passenger Handler with the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) 'we work from when the Aircrew start til they finish. First thing on the way to work, we collect the latest flying program for the day and the codewords for talking to the aircraft. On arrival at the office, we carry out a FOD (Foreign Object Damage) plod of the area. On the Control desk, we have flying program for each aircraft for that day. We write a passenger manifest out for each one listing departure time, aircraft type and destination. Every passenger that arrives, their names get added to a particular manifest. This is what is used if something happens to the aircraft, so it's very important that it's clear and correct. There is constant contact with the Ops room as the program can and does change frequently. We can also add extra people to an aircraft is there is space available, making full use of any assets we have. As a Pax Handler outside, we then put those booked in into holding tents until their aircraft is ready. They get a H+S brief on what to do and not to do when they board and make sure their weapons are not made ready. After checking with the Loadmaster, the pax are brought forward and marshalled onto the aircraft, along with any freight. Once the Loadmaster is happy, we back away from the aircraft and it taxi's away. After a FOD plod of the area, we start all over again.'

606 Sqn Reservists parade for HM the Queen.

A group of Reservists from 606(Chiltern) Squadron based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire recently joined other members of the RAF Reserves to parade in front of HM the Queen at RAF Marham.

The occasion was the presentation of a new Sovereigns Colour to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and a further presentation of Squadron standards to the units from RAF Marham and RAF Honington.

Those from RAF Benson had a long trip up by road on a busy Friday afternoon, but arrived just in time to get a bit of spit and polish done to uniforms before a trip to the bar to quench the thirst.

The following day it was onto the drill square for practise, practise and more practise, under the careful eyes of the RAF Regiment Drill instructors, to ensure only the best was going to be delivered to Her Majesty.

Accommodation was basic for the trip, although nobody complained, the gym floor was dry and warm, so better than some Saturday nights accommodation in the field.

Come the big day and a bit of rehearsal time it was time to get on with the parade and the 4 flights marched on to begin the ceremony.

The weather couldn't have been better, although the cooling breeze did mean chinstraps were worn.

The team from 606 took all in their stride and did the Sqn proud on such a big day.



LAC Jim Izzard from Oxfordshire added ' Other than the birth of my Son & marrying my wife it was the proudest day of my life..Living the dream..."The Queen God Bless Her".'

Interested in joining the RAF Reserves?

Interested in joining 606 (Chiltern) Squadron, something extra for your weekends, meet different people and get outside and keep fit?

We will be holding an open evening on Thursday 15 April, if you want to find out more about RAF Reserve service and meet those that are members of the unit drop us an e-mail for further details.

recruiting@606sqn.com for more details.

Catching up on Squadron activities.

Hi

Its been a while and I just dont know where the time has gone? Before we know it we are already on top of the next Salisbury Plain exercise and plans are going well for the event.

Support to Military Operations around the world have continued at a steady pace, our Gunners have returned from service in Kandahar, whilst the Logistics Flight have continued their support to operations at Camp Bastion. Support to training is ongoing with members of the HQ being deployed to Kenya. Throughout the Grand Prix exercises members of Ops flight have been deployed to support the Joint Helicopter Force (Kenya).

Back at home the first 3 training weekends of the year have gone very well, with all squadron members completing their annual common core skills training, so thats the gas done for 12 months.

The flights have been carrying out a varied list of activities, MT Drivers have just completed convoy training, Ops flight have run a couple of table top planning exercises and the Regiment have been busy training the new intake of Gunners.

Recruiting activities are going really well, our first two open events of the year have seen great response from potential recruits. A cold, foggy, frosty night in January saw a record turn out for the time of the year, so a busy year ahead for the training team I feel.

Anybody interested in attending the next open event on April 15th at RAF Benson should e-mail recruiting@606sqn.com for details.

Thats it for now more to follow soon.