Support Wing

Commanded by Wing Commander Paul Owens provides the support functions to the Station that are not directly related to Flying. The Wing covers the following areas:

Personnel Service Flight

Personnel Service Flight deals with all station personnel issues at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The Flight looks after all the personnel documentation of our airman and officers. It coordinates pay, pensions, postings, allowances and travel. Furthermore, it provides the first port of call for individuals with personal problems. The Corporate Communications Officer works with members of the local media covering newsworthy items and also acts as a point of contact for members of the public who have queries about RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Finance and Budgets

The Budget Office supervises the in year Budget, validation of the monthly forecast and Short Term Plan. It ensures at all times that regularity and propriety are applied when Public Funds are spent. The Accounts Flight deals with all matters relating to Public Accounts and Service Funds (Non-Public Accounts). Public Accounts processes miscellaneous bills, claims and all recoveries to the Public Account. Service Funds processes the Mess bills. It produces Year-End Accounts for the Messes and the Service Institute Fund also giving assistance with the production of the Funds’ annual financial plans.

Medical and Dental

The Station Medical Centre has a team of support staff including general practitioners and practice nurses who provide primary health care to personnel who live and work on the Station. As well as the full range of services that would be found at a civilian health centre, the Station Medical Centre provides crash cover for the airfield and specialised aviation medicine and occupational health advice. The Dental Centre, providing dental treatment to all service personnel, is located in the same building.

Estates and Infrastructure

Defence Estates supports the Property Manager, and acts as the conduit between the Property Manager, who is the customer on the Station, and the contractor for all infrastructure matters at the 3 Sites of RAF Linton-on-Ouse, RAF Church Fenton and Topcliffe. Specialist technical advice is provided by the Establishment Works Consultant, and actual infrastructure work is undertaken by the Works Services Manager, a specialist on-site contractor.

Catering

The Catering Flight has a blend of civilian and service personnel providing accommodation for military personnel in both the RAF Linton-on-Ouse Officers’ and Sergeants' Messes. These Messes and the Combined Mess Kitchen also provide catering for living-in personnel, casual diners and visitors from other units. They also cater for formal and informal functions throughout the year, such as dinner nights and cocktail parties on special occasions. An Airfield Buffet at RAF Church Fenton is also supported, catering for both airfield support personnel, aircrew and student pilots.

General Duties

General Duties Flight is responsible for providing support of a broader and more general nature. Its specific duties include the maintenance of Station discipline, the organization of ceremonial events, the provision of a printing, typing and mail distribution service, the provision of Station duty personnel, and the daily raising and lowering of the RAF Ensign. Examples of the ceremonial duties undertaken by the Flight include the quarterly Turning of the Page (of the Book of Remembrance) Ceremony at York Minster, numerous parades to mark special occasions, such as the Battle of Britain, Remembrance Sunday, and the award of the Freedom of the City of York. The Flight also assists in organizing more informal Station events such as the 5 th November bonfire and the Families’ Day, as well as supporting the local village fete.

Contract Monitoring Team

This area monitors the contractors who supply support services such as Transport, Supply, Accommodation Cleaning, Photography, Ground Radio. It is also responsible for the Station plans and the Continual Improvement system in place at the Station.

Information Technology

The RAF Linton on Ouse Information Technology section is responsible for most Station Information Technology services including the procurement and maintenance of MOD owned Information Technology systems, the provision of network connectivity to the Local Data Communications Network (LDCN) and all other network administration duties. It is staffed by a dedicated team of MOD civil servants.

Health and Safety and Environment

On behalf of the Station Commander a small team administers Safety Health and Environment responsibilities. Their areas of responsibility are promoting policy, monitoring performance, and recommending changes that relate to Safety, Health, Environment, Radiation, Energy and Recycling. They report on major issues and give advice on policy changes to the Station Executive. They attend various meetings to advise on any relevant Safety Health and Environment issues that may affect the role of the Station. Information is disseminated to all personnel by policy statements, annual briefings, monthly newsletters and, when required, specific instructions are issued.

Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy Services at Royal Air Force Linton-on-Ouse consist of the Station Chaplain (Church of England), the Roman Catholic Chaplain and a Free Churches’ Chaplain’s Assistant. Together they share the Station Church (dedicated to St Paulinus) and this can be found on Station next to the Main Car Park. The Church is always open and people are welcome to call in at any time. Provision is made for marriage in the nearby Parish Church of All Saints at Newton on Ouse. The blessing of civil marriages takes place in either All Saints’ Church or the Station Church . Baptism for both children and adults is undertaken in the Station Church , and Confirmation is arranged locally through the Archbishop of York. Worship takes place every Thursday at 12.15pm. The Church is very lively and family orientated with a good social life.

Welfare

There are a wide variety of welfare functions on the Station including the Community Centre and Maple Leaf Club. The Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families’ Association (SSAFA) has an office on Station. There is a HIVE Information Centre and our Community Development Worker has strong links with the local community. There is also a 24 hr vending machines, cashpoint, playgroup and hairdresser on site.