RAF Benson HIVE

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RAF Benson HIVE The HIVE is an information network available to all members of the service community. RAF Benson is a Joint Helicopter Command Main Operating base.

During World War II, RAF Benson was the main operational station for the Photographic Reconnaissance squadrons and since 1945 has been the base for a wide variety of units and headquarters. It has been especially noted for being the home of the King's Flight, and latterly the Queen's Flight, for a combined total of 51 years 6 months before disbanding in 1995. The principle squadrons at RAF Benson are 28, 33 and 230 Squadrons. 33 and 230 Squadrons are equipped with the Puma and Chinook Operational Conversion Unit, equipped with the Puma 2 and Chinook Mk4 helicopters, and operate from B Hangar 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force are also based here in support of the helicopter squadrons. C hangar is home to the Puma Depth Support Hub, where all depth maintenance of the Puma 2 helicopters is undertaken. Additional flying units resident are the Oxford University Air Squadron and 6 Air Experience Flight flying the Tutor aircraft. The Station also has a number of lodger units including the National Police Air Service, the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, the Rotary Wing Operational Evaluation and Training Unit and the Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility. This training facility includes 6 fully dynamic mission flight simulators, capable of training crews for Puma, Merlin and Chinook aircraft.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 18 September 2026Military families invited to help shape the ...
21/09/2026

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 18 September 2026

Military families invited to help shape the future of Service Family Housing
The MOD has today launched the Red Tape Challenge, inviting families to tell us about processes that are getting in the way of them enjoying their homes, so that we can work to change them.

This is just one of a series of new pledges setting out clear commitments to Service families on the quality of their homes, customer service, and ensuring their voices are heard.
For more information and details on how to make a submission, click on the link below.
https://defencehomes.mod.gov.uk/2026/09/18/military-families-invited-to-help-shape-the-future-of-service-family-housing/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUeJjNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7c4hq8MW7CQ8AoY1_9Ht9wLdQ2tILbdUQyJYO5iv1PQa_OKeO7s9QIvxbJLA_aem_IuT78dfTAnS6pBs856tN1Q

30 September, 10:30. Q&A session with the UK Nursery Authority policy teamService personnel and their families are invit...
18/09/2026

30 September, 10:30. Q&A session with the UK Nursery Authority policy team

Service personnel and their families are invited to attend a Q&A session with the UKNA policy team on Wednesday 30 September at 10.30am.
This session offers the opportunity to ask questions directly. If you would like to attend, please complete the UK Nursery Authority families Q&A form in the first comment. The team will then send you an email invite.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7WB3vlNZS0iuldChbfoJ5TDqA0w3-3NHpwsp34sgT15UM1JKRDJLUjEyOVlWWU1USVRNT0Y4MVpDMC4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawUU5A5wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6lVPHxPGxH5jZ78zbqyAbSLOhHX-8X-g7tw6fz_FbILyLa_o9tgnAinNPsXA_aem_1wUuZvJHViy7XnL3xFFR_g

📢RAF HIVE Benson Notice 👇
18/09/2026

📢RAF HIVE Benson Notice
👇

With Pension Awareness Week 2026 ongoing, DWP are encouraging customers, service users, colleagues and stakeholders to t...
18/09/2026

With Pension Awareness Week 2026 ongoing, DWP are encouraging customers, service users, colleagues and stakeholders to take one simple first step: checking their State Pension age on GOV.UK.
As State Pension entitlement is linked to National Insurance contributions, the Service community are reminded that spouses or civil partners who accompanied their Serving partner on an overseas assignment can complete a Gov.uk online form to request that NI credits are applied to their record for time spent overseas. For further information, eligibility criteria and the online form, please go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-insurance-credits-for-partners-of-armed-forces-personnel-overseas?fbclid=IwY2xjawUZ7gFwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5nqbnANn243ZnPuRoGlK3_7KmVN_0A0-lwV3ceIV2AdWwrJqnJHsLFcuAJCg_aem_C7tct566YlQ04UKl6CIr6g

Neurodivergence in the RAF EvaluationThe RAF Families Federation, on behalf of the RAF People and Families Team, is unde...
17/09/2026

Neurodivergence in the RAF Evaluation

The RAF Families Federation, on behalf of the RAF People and Families Team, is undertaking a confidential evaluation to better understand the experiences of neurodivergent RAF serving personnel (Regular and Reserve). The evaluation seeks to capture a broad range of experiences to help build a clearer understanding of neurodivergence across the RAF.

Findings will be shared with the RAF to help inform future policy, support provision, and decision-making in this area.

We would be grateful if you could share the evaluation with your networks to encourage participation from serving RAF personnel (Regular and Reserve) who identify as neurodivergent - whether through a formal diagnosis, self-identification, personal exploration, or lived experience without a formal diagnosis.

We do not ask for any personally identifiable information within the evaluation, and all responses will be treated confidentially and reported anonymously. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

The evaluation is now open, and will close on Thursday 8 October.

The RAF Families Federation, on behalf of the RAF People and Families Team, is undertaking a confidential evaluation to better understand the experiences of neurodivergent RAF serving personnel (Regular and Reserve). The evaluation seeks to capture a broad range of experiences to help build a clearer understanding of neurodivergence across the RAF.

Findings will be shared with the RAF to help inform future policy, support provision, and decision-making in this area.

We would be grateful if you could share the evaluation with your networks to encourage participation from serving RAF personnel (Regular and Reserve) who identify as neurodivergent - whether through a formal diagnosis, self-identification, personal exploration, or lived experience without a formal diagnosis.

We do not ask for any personally identifiable information within the evaluation, and all responses will be treated confidentially and reported anonymously. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

The evaluation is now open, and will close on Thursday 8 October.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UnderstandingNeurodivergenceintheRAF

Little Troopers - Devon Science -Saturday 19 September • 1100 - 1200 All Together Online - fun virtual sessions bring...
16/09/2026

Little Troopers - Devon Science -Saturday 19 September • 1100 - 1200

All Together Online - fun virtual sessions bringing together military children
Kids love to learn and how better than with hands-on and interesting activities using easily accessible items. Delivered by the resident scientist, you will know that your child will get the correct scientific information during the sessions.

All Together sessions run frequently until April 2027.
Sessions are free, but places are limited. Please only book if you are confident you can attend so that as many families as possible can take part.
About All Together Online

All Together is a club that brings military children together. As part of this, All Together Online offers a series of exciting, live, online events especially for military children under 11 years old.

Everyone from the serving military community is warmly welcome to join us.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/devon-science-tickets-1991987961616?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=e8775fb8d7&mc_eid=2eedd9c93a&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv1_a1demo062ie1ic&fbclid=IwY2xjawUU5n9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4IohqsGK4xEu1UxKWCpoXrBK_7a7vLwWsehav-dP6q5JrHftv2Nf62erutXQ_aem_8FFT13btCadJ07iIxDXEfw

Armed Forces Children’s transitions between education systems – An Educators’ ToolkitA new resource has been created for...
15/09/2026

Armed Forces Children’s transitions between education systems – An Educators’ Toolkit
A new resource has been created for educators to support with planning transition for Service children: https://dcs.school/transition/ Families may also find the information helpful.
This toolkit has been developed specifically to help educators support armed forces children’s transitions between different education systems. Using this resource, educators can help children and young people from UK Armed Forces families experience positive transitions and thrive academically, socially and emotionally, wherever they move in the UK or overseas.
It was developed collaboratively by education practitioners and education policy professionals from across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. This involved officials from Government Departments, local authority officers, schools and Service charities from across the UK.

Forces Pension Society - Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week 2026 ·📢 Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week starts next wee...
14/09/2026

Forces Pension Society - Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week 2026
·
📢 Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week starts next week. Join our webinars for serving personnel and veterans and discover valuable information about your pension, its benefits and future planning.

➡️ 11am | 15 Sept | Serving Personnel - Overview and key benefits of AFPS15
➡️ 11am | 17 Sept | Serving Personnel - Tax & Armed Forces Pensions
➡️ 7pm | 17 Sept | Veterans - eligibility, scheme details, due dates, claiming & where to find further support.

JOIN US AT 👉 https://forcespensionsociety.org/2026/09/armed-forces-pension-awareness-week-2026-2/

Support for LGBT Veterans Impacted by the Armed Forces Ban (27 July 1967–12 January 2000) *Applications close on 12 Dece...
11/09/2026

Support for LGBT Veterans Impacted by the Armed Forces Ban (27 July 1967–12 January 2000) *Applications close on 12 December 2026*

Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture!Every September thousands of volunteers across England orga...
10/09/2026

Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture!
Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Heritage Open Days returns 11-20 September 2026
👇
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

Address

Wallingford
OX106AA

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 3pm

Telephone

+441491827213

Website

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