Monday 8th March is International Women's Day. RAF Odiham is fortunate to have so many inspiring women working with the Chinook Force and today we celebrate them!
Here is just a snapshot of some of the roles they have on the Chinook Force and a summary of their time in the RAF!
Wing Commander Tracey Affleck
Officer Commanding Base Support Wing
In 2001 Tracey commenced Initial Officer Training (IOT) as a Physical Education Officer (PEdO) and despite being a TLA (Tracey-Louise Affleck) was utterly baffled by the number of TLAs used in the training system. Following IOT, she filled 4 tours as a PEdO. Her following PEd tours included Air Cmd, MPA and Brize Norton. A tour at RAF College Cranwell as a Leadership Instructor, Flight Commander and Officer Commanding Rehabilitation Administration and Discipline Flight followed before returning to the gym environment.
Promoted to Squadron Leader in 2012 and due to the disestablishment of the PEd branch she became a Personnel Officer and saw a return to RAFC Cranwell as OC Development and Training. Time in RAF Lincolnshire came to an end when she volunteered for a Personal Staff Officer (PSO) role to become PSO to AOC 22 (Trg) Gp. During her time in this role she had two very different principles, Air Vice-Marshal Mike Lloyd and Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Turner. Her most interesting trip whilst in this role was to China, when AOC 22 (Trg) Gp represented CAS at the People’s Liberation Army Conference. An AOC’s Commendation was awarded as were some extra bags under her eyes. Following this tour, she deployed as SO2 Strategic Communications for 83 Expeditionary Air Group working on Operations SHADER (Iraq), TORAL (Afghanistan) and KIPION (broader Middle East). Her final Squadron Leader role was as RAF Benson FDS, a role she loved due to the people factor and the numerous successes they achieved.
Promoted to Wing Commander in 2017 and the completion of AST she was posted to MOD into Armed Forces Remuneration, whereby she was the deputy team leader for Pay Evolve. 18 months into her OC Base Support Wing tour at RAF Odiham she is tired. Odiham is a busy Unit, add COVID and HRM and there is lots to keep her busy overseeing all people and base requirements!
Flight Lieutenant Lisa Cavill
Officer Commanding Personnel Services Flight
I joined the RAF in 1999 as a Personnel Administrator. My first posting was to RAF College Cranwell where I worked in Personnel Services Flight (PSF) covering all roles from administering Airmen Aircrew trainees to acting as the AFCO Clerk. Following 9/11, I was given 2 weeks’ notice to deploy to Oman in support of operations in Afghanistan. Here I worked as part of the Deployed Admin Group, ensuring all flights and wider administrative needs were arranged for those SP deployed. Upon return, I was posted to RAF Scampton as the Public Relations Assistant for the Red Arrows. I promoted through the ranks to Sergeant in roles such as Service Funds, Welfare and PA to OC 100 Sqn which included deployments to the Falkland Islands, Qatar and Iraq.
Whilst in Iraq, I found out that I had been successful both with promotion to Flight Sergeant and with my application to Commission. Choosing to commission, my first posting on assignment was OC General Duties Flight at RAF Odiham where I conducted numerous Honours and Awards ceremonies and arranged numerous visits to Stn. I deployed on Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 with the Chinook Force. This saw constant liaison with the Army HQ. Returning, I was deployed short notice to Mali supporting the Chinook Force again with administration, accounting and media in an operational Theatre and in support of French operations.
On my return, I remained at RAF Odiham but was posted into the OC PSF role.
During my time in the Service, I have completed numerous courses including a BA(Hons) degree in Business Management. I have been awarded operational medals and an AOC 2 Gp Commendation for my work and additional duties whilst at RAF Boulmer. I have made the most of Adventurous Training opportunities and have been skiing in Austria and Germany and tried out climbing in Benidorm! The Service has supported my son’s education and, with both of his parents being military, has afforded him stability whilst we continue to serve, at times, overseas.
Warrant Officer Judy Devlin
MTO
As an enthusiastic 16 year old I boarded a train from my home town of Halifax to RAF Hereford, beginning what would be a fruitful career as a MTD in the Royal Air Force. As a YTS entrant I was paid the grand total of £19 a week for the first year, after which I transferred to regular service and was posted to RAF St Athan in Wales to complete MTD basic training.
During my Trade Training I had a minor mishap, whereby the gear stick from the car simulator I was driving came off in my hand, the instructor promptly informed me “you will never make an MTD”.? Having now successfully attained the rank of Warrant Officer and completed 33 years of Service I guess his prediction was incorrect and luckily for me the pay got considerably better. I am now the proud custodian of the TG6 “Witches Broom” traditionally held by the TG6 Senior Female; It sits pride of place on my office wall. The RAF has afforded me the opportunity to live and work in several different countries, including postings to both Germany and Cyprus.
I have only been at RAF Odiham supporting the Chinook force since Jul 20, despite moving home and beginning a new job at the height of the pandemic, I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge. As a single parent Service life has on occasion been turbulent, that said I wouldn’t change a thing and it has allowed me to work with some truly inspirational people.
Squadron Leader Natalie Docherty
Squadron Leader Operations
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Natalie joined the RAF in 2003. She initially joined as a Dental Nurse and spent time at RAF Northolt, Brize Norton and Aldershot. During this time, she also deployed on Op TELIC and participated in various exercises, primarily attached to TMW iso NATO MAXEVAL and TACEVAL.
In 2009 she commissioned into the Flight Operations Branch and was posted to RAF Valley as the 208 Squadron Operations Officer. After a short tour she deployed to the Combined Air Operations Centre, Al Udeid as the UK Watchkeeper. Upon completion she was posted to MOD Abbey Wood where she worked in Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements’ Airlift Operations Team.
Her career has seen her work within numerous Tri-Service and Multi-National environments, evident with her detachment to the Falkland Islands, postings to RAF Benson FHQ, RAF Akrotiri, supporting Op SHADER, in Oman supporting Op CHOBDOHAR, and within the Tasking Cell at JHC.
On promotion, she was posted to Air Cap as one of the Programme Officers for the F35 and Air Weapons Programmes. Prior to undertaking the role of Squadron Leader Operations at RAF Odiham, she was a mentor to the 2* Afghan Army HQ on Op TORAL.
A fruitful and privileged career to date, she relishes new opportunities and challenge.
Flight Lieutenant Katie Morris
Junior Engineering Officer 27 Squadron
Flt Lt Katie Morris joined the Chinook Force straight after training in Jan 2017 as Officer Commanding Armament Engineering Flight at RAF Odiham. This tour saw her command over a hundred Armourers and Survival Equipment Technicians, and look after aircraft guns, flares, ammunition and pyrotechnics, as well as all manner of survival equipment from liferafts to helmets. After a 6 month tour away from the Chinook Force as the Detachment Armament Officer deployed overseas, she returned as a Junior Engineering Officer on 27 Sqn. As a JEngO, she leads a team of around 60 aircraft engineers, generating Chinooks for UK and overseas tasking. In her time with the Chinook Force she has deployed to Mali, the USA, Niger, Iraq, Norway and a short stint on HMS Queen Elizabeth; in fact, she wrote this submission at the end of a busy shift on Op NEWCOMBE, delivering unique heavy lift capability in support of Multinational combat operations. Her favourite part of the job is deploying on Operations around the world; it is a real privilege to work with her fantastic team to generate the mighty Chinook for frontline Operations!
Sergeant Debs Mckinnon
SNCO Avionics Engineering
I am currently deployed with 1310 Flight on Op Newcombe in Mali as an Avionics SNCO. My role includes the management of trade related tasks and to ensure maximum productivity through the management of the Avionics team. Having been in the RAF for over 20 years I have deployed to Op Herrick, Op Telic and on multiple exercises throughout the world. Working on fixed wing and rotary aircraft as an Avionics Technician I help maintain communication, auto-flight, electrical and defence systems. I have enjoyed taking part in adventurous training exercises throughout Europe including activities such as snowboarding, sailing, white-water rafting and mountain biking. At home I like to go hill walking and camping with my two children, I also volunteer as a school governor and guides leader. At RAF Odiham I am part of the Chinook Maintenance Flight, tasked with generating aircraft to meet the operational requirements of the UK fleet of CH47 Chinook Helicopters. I help lead a team of Avionics Personnel to carry out vital maintenance!
Flight Lieutenant Charlotte Wynne-Jones
SO3 J1 Support Helicopter Force Headquarters
I joined the RAF as a Personnel Administrator in 2009 and was based at RAF Halton, Northwood HQ and RAF Odiham before gaining my commission in 2017. I have since worked in an infrastructure role as OC Works Services Flight at RAF Odiham, where I was the interface between the station and the contractor, Amey. I oversaw several major projects, as well as managing the routine maintenance which is a reality of a busy main operating base. I am currently based in the Support Helicopter Force Headquarters at RAF Odiham, where my main priority is ensuring personnel are generated and prepared to deploy on the operations we support as well as Chinook Force exercises. It is a demanding but rewarding role and I am required to engage daily with a wide-range of sections, both on Station and externally. Doing this job in the time of Covid has added extra pressure, requiring problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly to a changing situation. Since joining up, I have deployed to the Falkland Islands and supported exercises in Cyprus, California and Germany. The RAF has given me so many opportunities and really shaped me as a person – joining was the best decision I have made.
#ChooseToChallenge
