It is with a great deal of pride and not a little sadness that I am penning my last Helicon submission as Chinook Force Commander, it has gone by too fast.  In April I will be handing over to Gp Capt Hannah Bishop, who is taking command following a tour in 11 Group at HQ Air Command. Prior to that, Hannah commanded 28 Sqn at RAF Benson and has completed multiple tours on the front line here at Odiham.

Welcome to the Spring edition of Excalibur! This is the first such foreword I have written since my appointment as Station Commander in December, and it is a great honour to do so. Since my arrival I have visited many sections across the Station and met many people in my quest to better understand what everyone does and how best I can support them. Wherever I have been and whoever I have spoken with, I have been made to feel most welcome and thank you all for that, even our diehard Newcastle United supporters.

At the heart of our community stands RAF Wittering—not merely as a military base, but as a vibrant cornerstone of local life. As spring starts to bring new life into our surroundings, it seems an appropriate moment to reflect on the exceptional relationship between our Station and the wider Wittering community. The last couple of years have demonstrated the strength of this partnership. Working alongside residents, we proudly supported the campaign to restore vital bus services—understanding that connectivity is essential for all who call this area home.