THALES : sponsors forces passenger information system

23 January 2012

Thales UK and the single service charities have held a ceremony at RAF Brize Norton to launch a new passenger information system. The system is being sponsored by Thales UK and supported by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF), the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). 

This information system will make a real difference to Armed Forces' families…"

Twelve new 42" and 47" screens have been installed in various locations across the base to provide service personnel departing from RAF Brize Norton with important and timely information as they prepare to board flights out to operations.

Air Marshal Sir Robert Wright (RAFBF), Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter (ABF) and Robert Robson (RN&RM) attended the ceremony on behalf of the respective service charities, along with RAF Brize Norton Station Commander, Group Captain Dom Stamp.

Group Captain Stamp, says: "There have been many changes to the passenger terminal in recent years, but the provision of the new information system really does bring us right up to date in terms of technology and will enhance the communication between the key areas for passenger movement within the station. We are extremely grateful to Thales UK, whose very generous donation made this possible."

Air Marshal Sir Robert Wright says: "On behalf of the RAF Benevolent Fund, ABF The Soldiers Charity and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity I would like to thank Thales UK for this generous donation, which represents a leap forward in the information facilities available to the many serving personnel who through RAF Brize Norton's terminal every year - over 190,000 passed through the terminal last year alone."

"This information system will make a real difference to Armed Forces' families at what is often a particularly stressful time - easing the passage of serving personnel about to be deployed overseas and helping to relieve the anxiety of those waiting for loved ones to return. We three main single service charities applaud this initiative. The task of easing pressure on hard-pressed armed forces families is a vital element of our welfare work. Our thanks goes out to Thales UK, and we look forward to working with them on similar projects in the future."

John Howe Chairman of the Thales UK Charitable Trust, says: "Thales UK is immensely proud to be a key partner of the UK Armed Forces and through our Charitable Trust we have supported the single service charities for more than 15 years. The charities provide wonderful support to service personnel and their families, which is particularly important during current operations in Afghanistan."

"Thales UK is also proud of its long association with RAF Brize Norton, which goes back more than 40 years and started with the provision of simulation and training for the VC-10 aircraft. More recently Thales UK is a key part of the AirTanker consortium providing Voyager, the next generation of air transport and air refuelling aircraft for the RAF."

Thales currently has 21 employees based at RAF Brize Norton, a number of whom attended the ceremony in support of the new sponsorship relationship."

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

In 2008 Thales provided a webcam scheme for 16 Air Assault Brigade across a number of locations to help deployed personnel keep in touch with family and friends back in the UK. More than 1,400 families were able to make use of the scheme to try and stay in contact with loved ones in Afghanistan. The facilities were very popular and well-used. 

Picture: ©RAFBF. Front row (l-r) - Group Captain Dom Stamp, Air Marshal Sir Robert Wright, John Howe CB OBE, Major-General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, Robert Robson.

About the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund 

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the RAF's leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to all members of the RAF family. We are here for serving and former members of the RAF, as well as their partners and dependants, whenever they need us. We help members of the RAF family deal with a wide range of issues: from childcare and relationship difficulties to injury and disability, and from financial hardship and debt to illness and bereavement. For more information visit www.rafbf.org. 

About ABF The Soldiers' Charity 

We're here to support the men and women who put everything on the line to defend us, and our country. We're here for them with lifetime support whether they are serving soldiers or veterans. We offer our hand to them as individuals and, when they need help, for their families. We stand by them in conflict and in peacetime, throughout their lives. The immediate help we offer is a lifeline. But we look to the future too, keeping ahead of the game, finding the best ways to give medical, technical and financial support to give the best possible outlook for the men and women who sacrifice so much for us. For more information visit. www.soldierscharity.org/

About the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity exist to provide a better quality of life for serving and former Naval Service personnel. This includes the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Maritime Reserves, QARNNS (Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service), and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and former members of the Women's Royal Naval Service. We provide a single focus for charities that support Naval Service personnel. We are here to support the whole Naval family who are in need, suffering hardship or in distress. We do this through our grants to the Naval charities which provide through-life care to those whose service might be long behind them but can always call on the safety net available to them. For more information visit. www.rnrmc.org.

About Thales and Thales UK

Thales is a global technology leader for the defence & security and the aerospace & transport markets. In 2010 the company generated revenues of £11.2 billion (€13.1 billion), with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and research-ers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an excep-tional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. Thales UK employs 8,000 staff based at 35 locations. In 2010 Thales UK's revenues were around £1.5 billion