While Global Aviation Resource would not usually report on RAF Families Days, despite them frequently featuring a wide-range of display and static aircraft and sometimes with rare items not often seen publicly, we did feel that they warranted a closer look, based on some less than savoury media coverage.
Families Days are not airshows in the true sense of the word although they often feature a flying display; they are private events, held just once a year for the families and close friends of those who spend the rest of their time serving the RAF.
With so many of our forces currently deployed on operational duty, most significantly, but not exclusively, on Op HERRICK in Afghanistan; a Families Day may be the only chance that all those serving on an RAF station are given the opportunity to invite their nearest and dearest inside their place of work. This gives them a chance to explain more about what they do on a day to day basis, perhaps why they have to go away training so often and, most importantly, some of what they do when they deploy on an operational basis.
No one is suggesting that family members don't discuss these things at home, but the hands-on approach that an opportunity like a Families Day provides must be seen as an important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to morale and 'harmony', to use the military buzzword. Private businesses and corporations hold similar events so why shouldn't the armed forces and specifically, in this case, the Royal Air Force?
This is why a 'News of the World' feature in July generated such strength of feeling from those who serve or simply appreciate the true worth of such events. To suggest that the Chinook Force at RAF Odiham was wasting it's time offering "joyrides" when every single one of its helicopters should surely be operating in Afghanistan would almost have been beyond belief had it not been for the source of the feature. We're becoming accustomed to the lack of sensitivity from a media which bizarrely often claims to be fighting the same corner as our armed forces and unfortunately it is frequently matched only by the high level of ignorance displayed by their reporting.
"The positive effect of a Families Day is pretty much immeasurable" says Flt Lt Tom Saunders of 208 Sqn at RAF Valley (and who's recently been appointed as the 2010 RAF Hawk Display Pilot).
"We recently held our Families Day at RAF Valley and it was a great success.
"Our families don't always get to see what we go and do every day so it gives everyone a chance to come along and see it for themselves. Many people serving have demanding jobs and the social side of the event shouldn't be underestimated either.
"We combined our event with a dining-in night for the 208 Sqn Association and invited along some of those who have played an important part in the Squadron's history. RAF Valley also used the day to support the local enthusiast society by giving them the chance to get a closer look at what we do and hosted a big barbecue for everybody. It's a win win situation really."
In addition to instructing the fighter pilots of the future on the Hawk, Tom is also Manager for this year's solo display pilot, Flt Lt Matt Barker. Families Days have played an important part in Matt's display calendar this year as Tom explains.
"Some of them (Families Days) are scheduled by the participation team at RAF Cranwell but a good number of display requests come directly from the Stations themselves. As these events are normally midweek it means that they don't usually clash with any public airshows and I think we have been at every single one requested so far.
"The crowds are smaller than at the public events but I think Matt is proud to be able to take the jet out and display for the families, realising how important it is."
Master Aircrew Gareth Attridge of 78 Sqn at RAF Benson concurs.
"I agree with the positive impact a Families Day can have wholeheartedly.
"While individual squadrons, units and clubs will host events individually throughout the year the Families Day is the one opportunity for every single unit to come together and demonstrate what they do. It's an opportunity for everyone to learn a little more about the work of the whole station, especially at larger bases, and relax and enjoy themselves.
"For a station like Benson it is also great to involve the families of people who are away on ops, this helps them feel that they are still part of the community even though their loved ones are away."
Gareth also confirms that a lot of work goes in to organising the events, with planning for the next one essentially beginning soon after the previous event is complete.
"There is a lot of planning involved and we form committees and sub-committees and then those look after the flying display, ground displays, charity link-ups and liaise with an events co-coordinator; there is a lot of infrastructure to put in to place."
Perhaps the most salient point here is that all of these people are volunteers and while it is by no means a full-time job for twelve months things do tend to 'ramp-up' in the final weeks before the event.
"There is also a lot of work to be done immediately after the event" adds Gareth.
"Everything needs to be cleared-up and stored, thank you letters need to be written and the whole event is subject to a de-brief so we can see how things might be improved next time round; all of this is also done on a volunteer basis."
For civilian display pilot Neil McCarthy, who takes his Jet Provost T.3 to as many Family Days as possible, it's well worth giving up his time.
"They are such enjoyable events; completely different to the airshows I attend and yes, there is a sense of pride in visiting the stations and meeting serving members and their families.
"There are many civilian pilots like me who support the Families Days and I think I would probably be speaking for all them when I say we are delighted to do so."
It's clear that the Families Day is an important date on the calendar of any Royal Air Force station and, contrary to some of what has been reported, these private events have a crucial role to play as part of the bigger picture. Some of the media would do well to remember that if they plan to cover them in the way the New of the World did earlier this year.
GAR wants to interact with its readers so if you have a question for the author or a comment to make on this feature, please click on the button below. The best comments will appear right here on GAR.2009-09-22 - RAFairman
A good article that does take on what the mainstream media and some people miss.
Families days offer a chance for the station to come together and more importantly allow people who work at the station to go outside of their normal workplaces and see what other people do. We behave just like any other large organisation that has multiple departments, in that we can become insular and can forget what we are ALL there to do.
For instance it allows someone who works in say, the supply flight chance to see what someone on the flying squadrons do, what their own efforts go to and how we all contribute to producing airpower.
I also allows a chance for us all to have a bit of fun and play. Inevitably there will be some sort of hangar party or similar at the end of the day and that itself can allow people to come together. After all people who play together, know each other better and hence they work together better when they have too.
Thanks for the article.
2009-09-22 - Gareth Stringer
Hi Remco
Thanks for your comment and for taking time out to look at GAR.
We are a long way from being a "PR agency for the RAF" but we do like to put right some of the wrongs that other media, particularly in the UK, publish.
We use our military contacts to help us with this and it also gives them an opportunity to respond too.
Thanks again
Gareth
2009-09-22 - Remco van der Waal
Some nice photography but you guys want to watch out youre not just a P.R agency for the Royal Air Force.
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