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National Service (RAF) Association



2012 NS(RAF)A re union and parade RAF Museum Cosford.
Calling all ex RAF "erks" .
NOTICE FOR ALL EX RAF PERSONNEL.
There will be a re union parade taking place at the RAF Museum at Cosford, Shropshire on Sunday 20th MAY 2012 organised by the National Service (RAF) Association, with the support of the RAF Museum and RAF Cosford.
All ex RAF Personnel (including ex WAAF and ex WRAF) - be they National Service OR Regulars - are invited to come along for the day.
(NOTE: entry to the museum and all AIRFIELD parking is free).
Try and arrive by 09.30 am. ATC displays and performances by the
"D Day Darlings" start at 10.00 hrs.
A parade and march past, with a Band will take place at 11.00hrs - under the tender care of ex 1950s Drill Instructors - true ! - and it will give you the opportunity to once more march and salute the Ensign under which we once all served.
Reviewing Officer: To be confirmed (CAS invited).
Join us, with your families, for a FREE memorable day of nostalgia and all things Royal Air Force, including input from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at 13.00 hrs,
25 plus RAF and Service related charities in Hangar 1.
BBMF input @ 13.00 hrs.
(subject to subject to weather / mechanical conditions).
Information / Schedule /local Accomodation etc:-
Pat Honey: Tel: 01782 516887. e mail: pgh87@talktalk.net

Package Hotel accommodation for the weekend at the Himley Hotel, Dudley..
Details and booking from: IOW Tours, Tel: 01983 405116. or e mail: enquiries@ iowtours.com
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Saturday 23rd June.
Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton will be commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Falklands Campaign at this year's International Air Day on Saturday 23 June. When Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands on the 2 April 1982 all the Yeovilton Squadrons were brought to immediate readiness and four resident Squadrons, 800 NAS and 801 NAS (Sea Harrier) and 845 NAS and 846 NAS (Wessex/Sea King) were joined by the newly created 809 NAS (Sea Harrier) and 847 NAS and 848 NAS (Wessex).
Lynx helicopters from 815 NAS were already embarked in many of the surface ships dispatched almost at once to the South Atlantic. By the end of May 1982, 126 aircraft and over 1400 men from RNAS Yeovilton were deployed in ships in the South Atlantic. The Falkland Islands could not have been retaken without air power. The Sea Harrier defeated the Argentinian Air Force in scoring over twenty air combat victories; the Commando Squadrons provided support to ground forces with troop insertion and resupply; Lynx helicopters provided anti-ship capability and were used successfully in that role in coastal waters. Over the whole operation 90% availability of all aircraft embarked was achieved demonstrating the quality and reliability of the equipment and the skill and dedication of the Fleet Air Arm support crews.
An extensive flying and static display will take place to mark this significant anniversary with historic naval aircraft such as the Swordfish, Seafire, Sea Fury and Sea Vixen coming together with their modern counterparts to highlight the role that RNAS Yeovilton Squadrons have played, and continue to play, in operations throughout the decades to the present day.
Air Day will also feature world class military aerobatic teams such as the RAF Red Arrows and the Royal Jordanian Falcons. Undoubtedly, the stars of last year's show for many were the exceptionally rare display by a Polish Air Force MiG-29 and the UK debut of the French Navy Role Demo comprising of Super Etendards and Rafales representing the cutting edge of modern global fighter technology. Invitations have been sent out to many foreign nations and we hope to have significant support from our allied partners once again. The home team consisting of the Royal Navy Black Cats, Royal Navy Historic Flight and the awesome Commando Assault Finale will showcase the Fleet Air Arm's assets past and present. It is hoped, subject to its own successful fund-raising campaign, that Vulcan XH558 will grace the skies once again at Air Day. There will be plenty of light-hearted fun packed displays as well to entertain all the family.
The Fleet Air Arm Museum will also be open on Air Day with a 25% discount to Air Day ticketholders. It houses the largest collection of Naval aircraft in Europe and it includes 14 aircraft which cannot be seen anywhere else in the World, as well as the Fly Navy 100 exhibition. Visitors can go on-board Concorde or be transported by a simulated helicopter flight to the replica flightdeck of the aircraft carrier HMS ARK ROYAL.
Throughout the day there will be plenty of entertainment on the ground for all the family including side shows, funfair, vintage, classic and military vehicles, service demonstrations, picnic areas, helicopter pleasure flights, simulator rides, trade stands and much more.
TICKETS ADVANCE ON THE DAY
Adult £18 £ 23
Senior Citizens £16 £23
UK Armed Forces (Serving & Veterans)* £16 £23
Children (3-15 yrs inclusive) £5 £8
(if booked by 14th April the booking fee of £2.00 will also be waived)
Tickets are available from March 2012 from our website www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk or our Ticket Line 08445 781 781. Discounted group and coach rates available on request by calling 08445 780 780. * Please download UK Armed Forces Booking Form from www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk
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Mosquito to the Air reunion:
Elvington Museum, Yorkshire over the weekend June 30th and July 1st.
Anyone who has had any connection with the Mosquito Aircraft in any way - please contact: andy@mossie.org
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Westminster Abbey Battle of Britain Service: 16th September 2011.
Applications for tickets should be made to Mr P G Honey. (Address In front of ASTRAL) by Ist August 2011.
All applicants for tickets need to supply a medium size Stamped Addressed Envelope for tickets.
PLUS: Supply of the Date of Birth and a Passport or Driving Licence Number for each applicant is essential.
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Advance notice: 2012 NS(RAF)A AGM will be held at 17.00 hrs at "The Tillington Hall Hotel" Stafford on Friday 26th October 2012.
A full weekend is on offer - including Saturday trip out to a place of interest.
Sat evening Gala Dinner in the presence of His Worship The Mayor of Stafford.
Sunday Parade and Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial at ALREWAS.
RAF Halton Pipes and Drums to lead this Parade any ex RAF Personnel and Standard Bearers are invited to join us for 11.00 hrs.
Info Mr Honey: tel: 01782 516887 or e mail: pgh87@talktalk.net
Hotel and package weekend details and booking from: IOW Tours, Tel: 01983 405116. or e mail: enquiries@ iowtours.com


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Sunday November 11th. London Cenotaph Parade.
Only 40 tickets allocated to the NS(RAF)A - please contact Neil Trotter: Tel 01472 233919 or e mail: costa.rei@ntlworld.com to reserve them and please send him a SAE.
Overnight Saturday accommodation can be booked through Neil Trotter at the Datchet Mead Hotel, with coach to London on the Sunday at very reasonable rates.
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Winter break: 11th to 14th January 2013.
This will be at the Savoy Hotel. Queens Promenade, Blackpool.
I have been for the last 2 years and we had a cracking time (in spite of the bagpipes !.) I even had HAGGIS for the first time, lovely !
As with all the Hotel weekends that the NS(RAF)A offers I thoroughly recommend this winter break to all of you, even if the weather is bad the Hotel facilities / great food and service and entertainment each evening make up for that.
The trip on Lake Windermere this year was in bright sunshine, glorious !
NEW tram system refurbishment is finished BUT - this is true - some cretin got it wrong and the tram steps and station alighting platforms do not match - so they have to rebuild them all before it can be used - you could not make it up !!!!!!!!!
Pat H.
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