Welcome to this edition of Envoy. As the RAF continues to evolve, so too does the landscape of service life for our personnel and their families. Our mission at the RAF Families Federation is to navigate this changing terrain alongside you, ensuring your voice is heard and your concerns are acted upon. This issue reflects the core challenges and questions you’re facing right now. We lead with practical accommodation advice, a topic perennially at the forefront of your minds, offering guidance to help you navigate the system. You’ll also find vital updates on education, ensuring your children’s needs are supported through any posting, and a comprehensive look at the wider support network available to the RAF community.

This edition highlights the outstanding achievements of our exceptional Catering Team at the Annual Catering Culinary Competition, where they secured a remarkable collection of awards. I was delighted to sample AS1 Foster's entry in the Open Flambe category beforehand – it was absolutely delicious! Yorkshire University Air Squadron also had cause for celebration, as APO Elcock became their first student in six years to successfully complete the Tutor Elementary Flying Training syllabus. This remarkable accomplishment is detailed alongside the Squadron's other notable activities in this edition. Additionally, Flight Sergeant Polgreen from our Saddle Club claimed the overall Show Jumping Champion title at the RAF Championships, you can read more about her exploits and summer achievements. Finally, as the nights draw in there are plenty of things to look forward to in autumn. Station personnel will conduct a number of parades in the local area, while we will host The Excaliburs, the Station Awards Night in October. With so many people across the Whole Force and within our wider community of families and friends doing so much incredible activity day-in, day-out, The Excaliburs promises to be an occasion very much fit for showing due recognition of continued dedication, commitment and service.

As I reflect on my own time here, sadly drawing to a close in October 25; I am immensely proud of what we achieve from our airbase in rural Shropshire. What our trainees rarely see, and what I probably did not appreciate as an ATC instructor a decade ago, is just how critical a small group of dedicated individuals and teams are to the station’s success and the enablement of the training role. From Station Headquarters, who keep us legally and administratively sound (with Sharon, Marie and their team quietly holding the purse strings), to the Trainee Management Cell (Warrant Officer Bale and team), who deliver a gold standard of support to our trainees. Diane and the stores staff refreshingly unafraid to issue kit and equipment, to Gail and the Community Support team, working tirelessly for the whole force and our families.  To Florence, who ensures our building is clean and tidy every day. The Station Warrant Officer’s Gang who keep the station looking its best, and the ever-cheerful Military Provost Guard Service who provide a warm welcome whatever the hour. My thanks go to them all (and to the many others too numerous to name) who keep their part of RAF Shawbury happy, effective, and professional. Wing Commander Mark Paxman RAF – Officer Commanding the Defence College of Air and Space Operations