As I sign off, I expect this will be my final Helicon intro as I am posted this summer. I want to thank you all for your support to the station and our personnel; whatever your role if you are reading this then you undoubtedly play a crucial part – it really is a team effort. I’m going to be very sorry to leave RAF Odiham, the Chinook Force and the wider community, but proud of collectively what we have all delivered for Defence over the last couple of years. I will fondly remember Odiham100 and the community events and acknowledge the challenges that we have got through together. A big thank you from me for all that you do. I’d also like to take the opportunity to introduce my successor Gp Capt Jim Doyle, who is a great leader and I know will take good care of the Station during his tenure. Gp Capt Sarah Moorehead

Summer is often a time for bringing people together, which feels especially fitting as I reach my first year as Director of the RAF Families Federation. What has struck me most over that time is the growing confidence others place in us, confidence that the RAF Families Federation is a trusted, influential voice at the heart of conversations about the demands of Service life for all serving personnel and their families. Andrea Devlin MBE, Director, RAF Families Federation Federation

Welcome to the summer edition of Excalibur magazine. It’s hard to believe that as I write this foreword, that we’re almost halfway through 2026, and what a busy year it’s been so far. With over 350 personnel currently deployed in support of global operations and many more committed to operations from home base, RAF Leeming has been at the forefront of UK Defence activity in a wide number of locations. I am immensely proud of those dedicated and exceptional people, serving their Nation in these turbulent times with distinction and honour. They represent the finest in our society.