Author Archives: Guest Contributor

Royal Air Force Engineers Support on Operations

Royal Air Force personnel from 903 Expeditionary Air Wing are working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to keep the aircraft flying in support of counter-Daesh operations. With the RAF currently operating at its highest tempo in 25 years, it is the skill and dedication of its personnel that keep its jets in the air. The Tornado Detachment work around the clock maintaining and preparing the Tornados for their missions over Iraq and Syria.

The Squadron’s Junior Engineering Officer said: “Our airmen are working 12 hour shifts week in, week out to make sure the jets are prepared for their next flight. It’s hard work but we all know how important our contribution is to the overall achievement of the mission.”

“Working on an older jet, like Tornado, can be tough but it’s a rewarding challenge,” said one Aircraft Technician. “I have worked with Tornados for five years and it’s a great platform – really capable in what it can do”.

With RAF Tornados providing the Coalition with some of the most advanced weaponry and air surveillance, the Squadron’s tempo is showing no signs of slowing up. The RAF has carried out over 1,000 airstrikes as part of the Coalition fight against Daesh in Iraq and Syria and the personnel working behind the scenes make it all possible.

“It usually takes up to 16 people to get one wave of jets airborne,” said one Aircraft Technician. The team consists of Survival Equipment Specialists, Aircraft Technicians (Mechanic), Aircraft Technicians (Avionics), Weapons Technicians, Line Supervisors and Aircraft Maintenance Mechanics. The team works under the direction and supervision of the Junior Engineering Officer who has the final say on engineering decisions on the jets preparing for take-off. The team is on standby to provide quick reactive engineering support to the jets as the crews fire them up ready for take-off.

“Pre-flight checks can identify if there are any issues with a jet. All our technicians work hard to fix these as quickly as possible to keep the mission on track,” said the Squadron’s Flight Sergeant. The squadron’s technicians work tirelessly to prepare the aircraft for each mission, and nothing demonstrates their hard work more than watching a Tornado soar off in to the night skyline.

Editor: Flt Lt Laura McDonald

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

The Royal Air Force supported the swearing in of the new Lieutenant Governor of Jersey.

On Monday 13 March 2017, former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Jersey. The occasion was marked by a ceremony at the Royal Court and then a church service at the Parish Church of Saint Helier. Personnel from the Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment), LXX Squadron Royal Air Force, and Royal Air Force Music Services travelled to Jersey to support the event.

The Queen’s Colour Squadron provided a Lining Party in Royal Square for the new Lieutenant Governor as he made his way from the Royal Court to the Parish Church of Saint Helier. In the evening, the Queen’s Colour Squadron performed a Continuity Drill Display followed by a Sunset Ceremony. A flypast was conducted by LXX Squadron in an A400M Atlas aircraft as the Union Flag was lowered. Guests were afterwards hosted for dinner by the Lieutenant Governor in Government House with the Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra providing an ensemble of music. Flight Lieutenant Matt Bowerman, Queen’s Colour Squadron Second-in-Command, was the Parade Commander and the Lieutenant Governor took the salute.

The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, for a five year term, to be her personal representative and impartial adviser. His responsibilities include representing the Queen on ceremonial occasions, hosting royal, ambassadorial and VIP visits and being a point of contact between the Island’s authorities and the UK government. Air Chief Marshal Dalton’s appointment to the role was announced on 20 December 2016 following the end of General Sir John McColl’s tenure.

The Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment), based at Royal Air Force Northolt, are the Royal Air Force’s only ceremonial unit. Custodians of the Queen’s Colour for the RAF in the United Kingdom, they are responsible for representing the Royal Air Force at the highest profile ceremonial occasions; providing Guards of Honour for our own Royal Family, as well as visiting royalty, heads of state and dignitaries. The Squadron also has an operational role as 63 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment. The RAF Regiment are responsible for providing Force Protection to deployed airmen and aircraft. Air Chief Marshal Dalton is the current Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force Regiment, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The Airbus A400M Atlas, flown by LXX Squadron based at Royal Air Force Brize Norton, has been in service in the Royal Air Force since November 2014. Capable of carrying a load of 25 tonnes over a range of 2000 nautical miles, the A400M supports the deployment of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force and gives the RAF a tactical and strategic-airlift aircraft capable of supporting all three services and is interoperable with other nations.

Editor: Flt Lt Doug McCorkindale

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

Let’s block ads! (Why?)