<p>RAFALO UPDATE – JULY 2015 </p><p>This is the latest edition of the RAFALO Update, which includes information on changes to the Service. If you have anything you wish me to cover, please advise in the usual way via [email protected] </p><p>SENIOR APPOINTMENTS LIST</p><p>Air Commodore D R Andrew OBE to be Air Officer Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance and ISTAR Force Commander, Royal Air Force Waddington in December 2015 in succession to Air Commodore J B Portlock whose next appointment is yet to be announced.</p><p>Air Commodore J Burr CBE DFC to be Head Military Strategic Effects in the Ministry of Defence in July 2015 in succession to Air Commodore C E J Brazier CBE who is leaving the Service.</p><p>Acting Air Commodore N J Phillips CBE was promoted Air Commodore on 14 May 2015 and is appointed Deputy UK Military Representative to the European Union, Brussels in April 2016 in succession to Brigadier A M J McGovern.</p><p>Group Captain N J Colman OBE to be promoted Air Commodore and to be Deputy Director Military Support in July 2015 in succession to Air Commodore J Burr CBE DFC.</p><p>Group Captain R G Jacob to be Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Boulmer in July 2016 in succession to Group Captain M S P Coleman.</p><p>Group Captain P R Sanger-Davies to be Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Halton in August 2016 in succession to Group Captain A S Burns.</p><p>GENERAL</p><p>EQUIPMENT AND MANPOWER</p><p>Disbandment of 28 (AC) Sqn. 28 (AC) Sqn will stand down as a frontline Merlin Sqn on 9 Jul 15 and hand its aircraft to 845 Naval Air Sqn (NAS) as part of the Merlin transition to the Royal Navy (RN). The Sqn will immediately re-form as 28 (R) Sqn, which will become the Combined Puma and Chinook Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) Sqn from Autumn 2015.</p><p>A decision was made in 2009 to transfer the Merlin HC Mk2 and Mk3A aircraft based at RAF Benson to the RN Commando Helicopter Force. After the handover from 28 (AC) Sqn to 845 NAS on 9 Jul 15, Merlins will continue to operate under 845 NAS at RAF Benson until around Jun 16 when they will relocate to RNAS Yeovilton.</p><p>JHC made a decision in Nov 12 to form a Combined Puma/Chinook OCU at RAF Benson in order to utilise capacity realised from the Merlin Transition, and to exploit synergies and efficiencies from a combined approach to RAF SH aircrew training. The Combined OCU Sqn is planned to reach IOC in Autumn 2015 and CAS has endorsed the transfer of the existing Merlin Sqn number plate as it stands down to form 28 (R) Sqn.</p><p>UK Workplace Equality Awards. The Royal Air Force has been recognised for its commitment to increasing Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) representation in the workplace, by being named as a Finalist in the Future Workforce Award category at the Race for Opportunity Awards 2015. Business in the Community’s race campaign celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2015 and the Awards are in their ninth year. The awards celebrate outstanding practice, innovation and dedication to race equality and inclusion in UK workplaces. The winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on 6 October at the London Hilton, Park Lane.</p><p>As ever, if there is anything you would like information on, please e-mail me or send your correspondence via the Area Director or BSO.</p><p>Yours, In friendship</p><p>Ady Morris</p>