Page 13 - issue03.05.2019
P. 13

Royal Air Force News Friday, May 3, 2019 P13

                                                                                                                                                News



       WO Tim’s bowled


       over by send off




       WITTERING-BASED WARRANT Officer
       Tim Davies received a bowler-hatted send
       off as he bowed out of the RAF after more
       than 37 years service.
         He joined up in 1981 as a weapons
       technician working on Phantoms and
       since then has clocked up frontline
       postings all over the world.
         His most recent tour was supporting
       RAF Typhoon on a training exercise in
       Oman. He said: “I’ve loved every minute
       and have no regrets with my career path:
       I finish on a personal high.”.
         Colleagues at the Cambridshire
       station turned out to see him off as he
       presented with the Civvy Street bowler hat
       and brolly.                                                                                                                  LONG SERVICE: Waddington
         Wg Cdr Dan Penter added: “It takes a                                                                                       personnel say farewell to WO
       long and distinguished career to make an                                                                                     Tim Davies after 37 years service.
       engineering warrant officer of his calibre.”                                                                                 PHOTO: SAC MATTY SMITH



           News bulletin
                                     Forces family housing



                                     ruling opens the door




                                     for same-sex couples







                                     UNMARRIED SAME-SEX couples
                                     are to be allowed to live together
                                     in Forces family housing under a
                                     landmark ruling by Defence chiefs.
       Northolt nets                 overhaul of military accommodation
                                       The move is part of a major
       runway deal                   and axes restrictions on cohabitation
                                     rules for Services family housing.
                                       Under existing regulations only
       A  £23 MILLION  programme     married  couples,  those  in  civil
       to upgrade the runway at RAF   partnerships and those with legally
       Northolt is underway.         dependent children are eligible.
         VIP flights carried out by 32   Although same sex couples will
       (The Royal )Sqn will be transferred   only be able to apply in areas with
       to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire   surplus housing the decision has been
       whilst  the  work  is  carried  out  by   welcomed as a breakthrough by the
       Lagan Aviation                Forces’ LGBT community.
                                       Cpl  Owain Bridge, who  is based
       Combat injury                 at Wittering, is currently living in                                                        FAMILY LIFE: Married couples quarters at
                                     private rented accommodation with
                                                                                                                                 RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire
       breakthrough                  his civilian partner Gavin.                                                                 “Personnel have told us that they want
                                       The  couple, who hope  to marry
                                     next year, say the option of moving                                                         more flexible working arrangements
       THE DEVELOPMENT of a device   into services housing will save them                                                        and so I’m delighted these measures
       to  stop rapid blood loss  from   auto £300 a month.                                                                      are now in place.
       battlefield injuries has been given   He said: “It’s nice to see they are                                                   “This new package of modern
       an extra £5 million in funding.  considering my partner as part of the                                                    measures will help us retain personnel
         The TXA autoinjector speeds   Service family.                                                                           who want a more flexible approach to
       up blood clotting and could cut   “Given the sort of society we live in                                                   how they live, work and serve.”
       battlefield fatalities by 30 per   now where people are quite prepared                                                      The reforms have been welcomed
       cent, the MoD says.           to be in a long-term relationship and                                                       by  the RAF Family  Federation.  A
         The    device   administers  not get married, this decision is long                                                     spokesman said: “It will take some time
       tranexamic acid, which stabilizes   overdue, especially where there is   WELCOME MOVE: Cpl Bridge (right) with his partner, Gavin  for the results of the pilot to be seen,
       and strengthens blood clotting   plenty of spare housing.    people who are in a committed  in areas where property prices are  and for the Future Accommodation
       within damaged tissues and can   “The announcement that as a same  relationship but not married.”  high like the South East.  Model to be extended further.
       be aself-administered.        sex couple, we are now entitled to live   The MoD has launched a pilot study   Military personnel are also being   “We are delighted to see the
         Although   developed   for  in surplus accomodation has taken the  as part of its Future Accommodation  encouraged to buy their own houses  extension of eligibility, which is in line
       military use the technology is also   pressure off. It’s welcome news.  Model which could also allow more  with the recent extension of the  Help  with the changing requirements of
       expected to be adapted for use in   “It also means Gav, who is a civilian,  forces personnel to rent property in  to Buy Scheme which has helped more  serving personnel and their partners.
       other serious trauma incidents   will have an introduction to Service  the private sector with their friends  than 10,000 get a foot on the property  We hope to work with the MOD and
       such as stab wounds and road   families life.                and colleagues.               ladder since its launch in 2015.  RAF to make the case for opening up
       traffic accidents.              “It seems like such a waste    If approved it will backed with £450   Minister for Defence People  relevant allowances to ensure parity
                                     otherwise if it cannot be used by  million in subsidies for those working  and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said:  for all.”
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