Description of duty position and work environment

I am the J3 Operations Officer for the Jt GBAD Hq (Joint Ground Based Air Defense Headquarters). Our headquarters is newly established as of June 2006. The headquarters is headed by a Royal Air Force Group Captain. The headquarters is a Joint headquarters. However, the headquarters falls under the Royal Air Force at Strike Command. Both Royal Artillery officers and Royal Air Force officers comprise the headquarters staff. Our Headquarters commands 1 x RAF GBAD Wing (Rapier), 16^th Regt RA (Rapier), and 1 x RAP Tp. 

The J3 Operations Officer plans and executes all Jt GBAD Hq operations. On a daily basis, I am responsible for operations, planning, training and Jt GBAD Hq commitments. The Jt GBAD Hq consists of 18 personnel, and is based at RAF High Wycombe in the village of Walters Ash, just outside High Wycombe.

Gym Facilities

Duty Uniform, other uniforms, suits, etc you should bring

The duty uniform is the BDU.  Occasionally, I am required to wear coat and tie or suits. I also wear Mess Dress and a Tuxedo for formal events, which occur throughout the year. The British like to dress for the occasion.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/stc/

Description of Housing

Housing is provided in the form of a Defense Housing Estates (DHE) quarters in Walters Ash. Housing is also located at both RAF Halton and Medmenham which are both about 15 miles away in opposite directions.  I pay approximately $650/month for rent and utilities. OHA and COLA both make up the difference. OHA and COLA change frequently. You can check current rates under DFAS website.

I have 220 voltage. I was able to get 2 x transformers from the Furnishings Management Office (FMO) from RAF Croughton. These allow me to plug in and use US appliances and power tools.

Lamps can be easily converted to plug directly into the wall, by purchasing plug adapters from the PX. For all other appliances such as TVs, DVDs, Computers, check the power specifications on the individual pieces. Some electronics are dual voltage while some are not. Also, we brought plenty of extension chords which turned out handy for lamps and alarm clocks.

Due to our location, our only option for television was to subscribe to SKY television, which is a digital satellite provider. Our subscription, the family package, costs for about $40/month. In order to have a radio or television, you must purchase an annual television and radio license at the local Post Office for $200.

We were able to sign out on loan from the FMO (Furnishings Management Office) at RAF Croughton, a refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer.

Our House at High Wycombe:

Medical and Dental Care

RAF High Wycombe provides a list of local clinics that assigned personnel can use. We signed into the local clinics for both medical and dental care. The closest US clinic is at RAF Croughton. We use both the medical and dental facilities at RAF Croughton and the local medical facilities. We have found both medical and dental care easy and convenient. For emergencies we would use the local hospital in either High Wycombe or Princes Risborough.

Description of Military Post Office, Commissary and PX Facilities 

We have some of our mail delivered directly to our house. However, we also have an APO mail box at RAF Daws Hill, a small Naval out-post, conveniently located 8 miles up the road However, it has limited hours of operation

We usually do most of our shopping on the economy. However, we do make an occasional trip to RAF Croughton. The prices are more expensive on the economy. However, the COLA makes up the difference.

Religious Services 

There are local Protestant and Catholic church services available in and around Walters Ash. The RAF chapel puts on a Family Service monthly, which we attend.

Banking

I conduct the majority of my banking on-line. Additionally, I have a pound account with the Community Bank, located at RAF Daws Hill. Community Bank has branches at most US installations.  The pound account with Community Bank is necessary to set-up direct debits which keeps things simple. The Community Bank also provides on-line banking.           

Schools

We have 2 children. We have them enrolled in the local village primary school. We are impressed with the local village school. Our children must wear uniforms. However, school uniforms are inexpensive and can be purchased in most clothing stores: ASDA, Marks and Spencers, Debenhems, etc.

POV Information

I shipped one car to RAF Ruislip on the outskirts of London. It took approximately one month from start to finish to complete all administration and licensing of the car. I also purchased a second “run-around.” Modifications must be made to all cars from the US new or old. The price for modifications varies. I paid approximately $300 for modifications. As my car was new I was exempt from the first years road-taxes. In general, each car owner must pay annually for road tax ($250) and the MOT ($100). The MOT is an annual test. Every car must go through the MOT to be certified “road-worthy.”