As 2025 draws to a close and the Christmas cheer is upon us again, on behalf of the Association Committee I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas. For most, Christmas is a time for celebration and a time where our thoughts turn to family, friends and those no longer with us.

Many of us have spent some of our Christmas past in odd parts of the world on operations and although away from family we were always surrounded by friends and like-minded individuals. While TSW have no major body of troops deployed this Christmas, they still have personnel deployed in various countries engaged in taskings that promote national security. To them we will raise our glasses on Christmas Day and toast their health and well-being and wish them a safe journey home to their families. To those families, we also hope that they will soon be reunited with their loved ones.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members for their continued support this year and hope this will endure into 2026. We have had some fantastic events over the past 12 months, including our first cruise. All have been attended in great numbers; The Presidents Dinner, so ably organised by Mr Wayne Shelton, was attended by no less than 212 members and friends of the Association. I am sure the Presidents Dinner on the 9th of May 2026 will be as well supported.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my hardworking committee for all the magnificent work they have put in this year in support of the Association and its’ members. In my first year as Chairman, I am humbled at the amount of work undertaken by our volunteers who give up their own time to keep the Association running so well.  

The common bond with the Association and TSW has never been stronger. With this enduring relationship we continue to recruit new members, and I welcome all those eligible to join us.

Sadly, we have lost far too many this year, and it is only right that at this time we turn our thoughts to those who didn’t make it, those that are suffering illness, or have mental or welfare issues. Please take the time to remember them and for those who didn’t make it raise a glass in their memory – ‘To absent friends’.

Lastly, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and the best of good fortune and health in the year to come.

I look forward to seeing you all in 2026

Kevin Wynn

Chairman RAFSC & TSW Association