Project FOCUS is the Station’s community engagement committee and I would encourage any interested personnel with the free capacity to get involved in their work. The team work regularly with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT) at Whisby Nature Reserve and are frequently involved in projects at local schools. It is an excellent opportunity to represent RAF Waddington and more importantly to give something back to the community which supports our Station and its personnel so well. Of those organisations which support our people, the RAFBF hold a prominent position. Their article in this edition is encouraging Station personnel to join the ‘Lived Experience Network’. The purpose of this network will be to help steer the RAFBF to better understand what the RAF Family requires from the Fund in order to better shape its future. As I stated in the article itself I would urge anyone interested to get in contact with the RAFBF, this is your opportunity to discuss your lived experience of life in the RAF and help the Fund to better help and support you.

At the time of writing Spring is finally starting to spring after what seems to have been a long, dark and particularly wet winter. There has, however, been plenty to keep the Station and its people busy since the publication of the last edition of Helicon.   World events have meant that the Chinook Force is as busy as ever, whether actually deployed or at increased readiness to do so.  You will likely have seen that I have taken the difficult decision to pause the Chinook display this year – this is because of the wider commitments we have around the world and my focus on preserving the force wherever possible. We will however be showing off the magnificent aircraft by performing a ‘role demonstration’ at a limited number of key events. This is much less costly in terms of time and work up, but still shows the mighty Chinook off in its full glory. We will be looking to showcase this on at Families’ day in August, which is going to be a fantastic event.

From exercises to charity events, our personnel have been at the helm. More recently we celebrated International Women’s Day with the Carterton Branch of the WI, a great afternoon working alongside inspirational women and not forgetting World Book Day with RAFAKidz Nursery; Padre Kit had a great time reading to them all. Our STEM Ambassadors have had an amazing time with local schools, engaging with children, through education, highlighting the importance of all thing’s science related. As we look ahead to the coming months with a busy calendar, we will endeavour to bring you news of all the latest activity including the 80th Anniversary of D Day, National Armed Forces Day and the upcoming changeover of command on Station as we prepare to say a fond farewell to our current Station Commander and Commander Air Wing.