A NORTH YORKSHIRE air base is being used as an example within the RAF of how to be part of the local community.

RAF Linton-on-Ouse trains the next generation of fast jet pilots and will be home to Prince William as part of his pilot training.

But the base has also won various awards for its community work, with pilots giving up their own time to work in an engagement programme known as the "Linton model"

Staff at the base say it is concerned with dialogue and building bridges between the RAF and other sectors of society. The Linton model has received rave reviews from RAF top brass, who now parade it as an example for the rest of the service to follow.

Team-building sessions are a key part of the model, with student pilots taking it in turn to act as role models for young people. And they get around a bit too; one day the pilots might host a visit to the base, and the next take a trip to a school in York.

Linton model custodian, Squadron Leader Mick Walters, said: "Our intention is to approach communities from the point of view of Linton being their local RAF station. It is all about inclusion and letting people see what the RAF is all about.

"We're not there to sign people up; rather we try to let people know how their taxes are being spent.

"It's not just about visiting schools though, 99 per cent of the population will never join the RAF but 100 per cent are likely to pay for it. So, as far as possible on a military base, we have an open-door policy and strongly believe in letting people come along to Linton and make up their own minds about us, based on what they see for themselves - not what they are told."

The Linton model has also received national acclaim. The base has already won the military's Firmin Sword Of Peace for its humanitarian work in communities, the RAF's John Barraclough trophy for its community work and at the recent Race For Opportunity (RfO) awards it beat off stiff competition from short-listed multinationals such as Barclay's Bank and Ford to win for the RAF the RfO's Innovation Award.

Examples of the base's work in the community includes opening a youth club and visits by airmen to a major Sikh festival to act as role models for young people.

Office turned into 'mini-mosque'

WORK has begun on a "mini- mosque" at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

As reported in last week's Press, the RAF base is to turn the chaplain's former office into a multi-faith prayer room.

The idea came about when Squadron Leader the Rev David Norfield took over as station chaplain and decided his office, next to the station's chapel, was bigger than he needed.

So Sqn Ldr Norfield has now moved out and has swapped his cassock for overalls to join pilots at the base to give his former office a makeover to meet the requirements of a prayer room.

One of the pilots, Flight Lieutenant Adeel Ahmed, said: "Having a dedicated prayer room is very important to Muslims. The decision to give those of us serving at Linton somewhere tailor-made to our needs is very welcome and makes us feel fully included. We are grateful to the station management for this facility."

Sqn Ldr Norfield said: "The new prayer room is very much in keeping with the base's outreach policy. We regularly visit temples and mosques in Leeds, so it is good to have one of our own.

"It is important that we provide for the spiritual needs of all our people and I expect to open the room for prayer at the end of this month."