Welcome to the summer edition of Envoy! As the sun (hopefully!) shines and schools break up, we know this season brings a unique rhythm to RAF life. For many, summer is synonymous with the ‘moving season’ – new schools, settling into new accommodation, and navigating the familiar flurry of activity that comes with relocation – doctors, dentists... we get it! While the warmer weather might lift spirits, it certainly doesn’t magically resolve the practical challenges our families face. We want to reassure you that the RAF Families Federation is acutely aware that issues with Service Family Accommodation (SFA) don’t take a summer break just because the sun is out. Whether it’s concerns about maintenance, the moving process itself, or settling into a new home, we remain steadfast in our focus on representing your lived experiences to the Chain of Command and the relevant authorities.

A highlight for the Station this Spring has been the arrival of the Typhoon on the Henderson Parade Ground. Inevitably some people will be sad to say farewell to Tornado XZ630, which has stood watch over thousands of Aviators graduating into the RAF since 2004, but it is an honour that RAF Halton was selected as the new home for Typhoon JZ911. It has been a fantastic whole force effort involving our contractors and Service personnel from Halton and other units to remove the Tornado and replace it with the Typhoon. It was a huge relief for everyone involved that the Typhoon fitted successfully onto its new plinths and was in place ready for the graduation of Beckett intake on 2 April, which was reviewed by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton. There has been a lot of interest on social media in the change of aircraft, with the time lapse video proving particularly popular. If you have not seen the clips yet and are interested then take a look at the RAF Halton Facebook or Instagram sites.

I am writing this in the aftermath of another incredibly successful Cosford Air Show. The Air Show was a sell-out, and the crowds were entertained by some very exciting RAF and international displays. The success of the event was testament to the hard work of our whole force that have spent the last 12 months planning it – plans are already underway for the 2026 Air Show! This is also my last edition of the Apprentice. The last 2 years or so has flown by and I cannot believe it is time to move on to my next assignment and hand over to my successor already. I will truly miss RAF Cosford and the wonderful people and families who go the extra mile every day. I am thankful every day for their dedication and professionalism that either train or support the training of the thousands of aviators that pass through our gates each year and I wish you all the very best for the future.