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.'