In Jun , following the cessation of hostilities, the squadrons took on the standing AR detachment at Muharraq in Bahrain, continuing to support Coalition ac flying over Iraq. Modern equipment and techniques enable the Squadron to meet this commitment and its ability to achieve the task under adverse conditions is tested on a regular basis.
The VC10 aircraft is scheduled to be replaced under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft project, and the current aircraft will gradually be retired in the coming years. As a result of this draw-down, and following a decision by the MOD to amalgamate the current aircraft and aircrew in to one VC10 squadron, No 10 Squadron was officially disbanded on 14th October No Sqn will continue to fly the VC10 aircraft.
In April , the Squadron was equipped with De Havilland DH9 aircraft, and was deployed to France to operate as a light bomber squadron. The Squadron took part in seventy-six strategic bombing missions directed at German industrial targets for the remainder of the First World War.
In April , the Squadron was disbanded and renamed No 27 Squadron. In , No 99 Squadron reformed at Netheravon in Wiltshire and was equipped initially with the Vickers Vimy heavy bomber, followed by the single-engined Avro Aldershot. During the Squadron converted to the Vickers Wellington bomber, an aircraft it would operate for the majority of the Second World War. The first bombing raids were launched on 17 April during the German invasion of Norway. European bombing operations continued until January when, once again, the Squadron was deployed to India.
From its base at Digri, No 99 Squadron commenced night bombing raids against Japanese targets in Burma. Equipped with this new aircraft, in July the Squadron deployed from Dhubalia to the Cocos Islands in preparation for the possible invasion of Malaya. In November , following the Japanese surrender, No 99 Squadron was disbanded. It was then re-equipped with the Handley Page Hastings later that year. During the Suez crisis in , the Squadron operated out of Cyprus and dropped paratroopers on Port Said.
In , No 99 Squadron commenced worldwide strategic transport operations with its new Bristol Britannia aircraft. Specifically, the aircraft would need to be able to carry outsized loads such as helicopters and large military vehicles. The remaining three aircraft were delivered at approximately monthly intervals, with the last one received on 24 August Three years later, in , the RAF announced that the aircraft had been so successful it was going to purchase the four leased aircraft and stated that it intended to purchase more C17 aircraft in the future.
The C17 is a versatile strategic transport aircraft that can deliver outsized loads up to , lbs into small austere airfields with runways as short as feet. The Squadron normally operates the aircraft with a crew of three, two pilots and one airloadmaster.
However, the effects of terrorist attacks in the USA on 11 September were to provide the Squadron with a significant challenge. No 99 Squadron was officially declared operational as a strategic airlift squadron on 1 January , and within days the Squadron was tasked to fly re-supply missions into Afghanistan. The operational flying ethos that the Squadron employed so early after its reformation has remained at the heart of 99 Squadron since.
Playing a major role in the build up to Operation TELIC, also known as Iraqi Freedom, the Squadron was then heavily involved throughout the offensive, flying into areas of direct threat and since then has flown regular missions into Iraq. More recently it has once again taken on the role of supplying troops in Afghanistan and is currently the main air-bridge to such troops. This is alongside uninterrupted flights to re-supply troops in Iraq and the undertaking of special flights into other operational theatres such as Balkan and African conflict areas.
No 99 Squadron has, since its reformation, developed a reputation for capability, speed and professionalism. In service from the Somme to Suez, Berlin to Baghdad, in Malaya, the Falklands and Afghanistan, Squadron has endured tragedy and sacrifice while carving more than its fair share of glory as well as leading the way in the development of cutting edge aviation technology.
Throughout the Battle of Menin Ridge, the 3rd Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai, Squadron flew night bombing raids against German communication and supply centres. In February Squadron attacked several German long-range night bomber airfields in what was one of the first offensive counter air operations. The German army broke through the British line on the Somme in March and the Squadron was forced to evacuate its base at Catigney. After the Armistice, Squadron was billeted in Belgium for occupation duties, but following the signing of the Versailles treaty in March it returned to England, where it disbanded on 31 December The high performance of the Sidestrand amazed crowds at the Hendon Air pageants, where it flew mock combat aerobatics with the fighters of the day.
In December the squadron moved to RAF Bicester and a month later re-equipped with the improved Boulton Paul Overstrand, with uprated engines, autopilot, enclosed cockpit and introducing the first powered gun turret into RAF service. With the fall of France, Squadron became operational but its officer commanding, Wg Cdr J H Hargroves, and his crew were lost on its first bombing mission on 5th July Throughout the first years of the War, Squadron carried out anti-shipping strikes and attacked German and French ports.
On the 30th May ten Squadron Wellingtons took part in the first 1, bomber raid on Cologne but losses began to mount and between July and September the Squadron lost 20 Wellingtons with 86 aircrew killed.
Later that same year, Squadron re- equipped to become the first operational Avro Lancaster squadron in No 1 Group. A few months later, Squadron moved to its final wartime base, RAF Ludford Magna and its Lancaster crews participated in the battle of Hamburg and the raid on the secret German rocket site at Peenemunde.
On the 31st March , during the Nuremberg Raid, Squadron lost 7 Lancasters and crews out of 26 dispatched. In the spring and summer of Squadron attacked targets in France in support of the allied invasion of Normandy.
These raids were no milk runs and 4 crews were lost on 4th May in the raid on Mailly-le-Camp On D-Day, the squadron used "ABC" to jam nightfighter controllers to protect the British airborne landings.
Returning to targets in Germany by the end of , Squadron Lancasters carried out a series of devastating raids on cities and ports and carried out their last attack on Berchtesgarden on 25th April During the bomber campaign against Germany, Squadron flew on more raids than any other bomber squadron, but suffered the highest casualties of any RAF unit in the war, losing aircrew killed in action.
Two years later, the Squadron deployed to Egypt and made a series of raids on rebel tribes around Aden. The Squadron deployed to Malaya early in , where it carried out the first RAF jet bomber operations against terrorist targets on 25th April, 10 years to the day after its last WWII bombing raid.
In June the following year Squadron redeployed to Malaya, returning home in August only to be deployed again in October to Malta for the Suez Crisis, carrying out bombing raids against Egypt. The Squadron disbanded on 4th August , relinquishing its bombing role after 65 years service. Notably, on the 8th April Squadron celebrated its 70th Anniversary by breaking its own non-stop speed record from UK to Australia.
VC10 tankers deployed RAF combat aircraft rapidly to the Gulf and then remained to support them in theatre. In March the Squadron returned home for a brief rest, but it returned to the Middle East in January From March , Squadron has had crews and aircraft permanently deployed to Flt at Mount Pleasant airfield, where they provide AAR support to the resident Tornado air defence aircraft and to the in-theatre Hercules. In more recent times, it has shared this detachment with the personnel of 10 Squadron.
VC10 tankers were duly called upon to support US navy aircraft operating from carriers in the Indian Ocean. During this period Squadron operated alongside its sister VC10 squadron, 10 Squadron, sharing crews and aircraft and also flying Air Transport AT tasks. In addition, Squadron crews helped evacuate over casualties to hospitals in Cyprus. Among their latest tasks was the successful AAR deployment and recovery of 2 Eurofighter Typhoons to Singapore in late With over 20 years in the role its crews are the most experienced AAR operators in the world, building on a proud heritage of courage, determination and professionalism.
Their operational record is second to none. It was tasked with strategic bombing duties for the remainder of World War I, and was transferred to Egypt in July Until the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East theatre in June , the Squadron was engaged mainly in transport flying duties, being designated a bomber-transport squadron in April In , the Squadron received its first Wellingtons. Its task was concentrated on transport flying, moving troops around the Middle East and Greek theatres of operations, as well as keeping open the supply and reinforcement route across Africa to the Gold Coast.
In November , the Squadron returned to the United Kingdom; in June , the Squadron received the first de Havilland Comet 2 aircraft, and became the first military Jet Transport Squadron equipped with the larger Comet 4c. The Squadron continued to operate these aircraft in the transport role, particularly for Royal and VIP flights, until being disbanded in June Following the Falklands conflict in , a requirement for more tanker aircraft became apparent.
In December , a thrice-weekly schedule to the Falkland Islands commenced and, although now reduced to a twice-weekly schedule, this remains the main task of the Squadron. In March , the first of the converted tankers was delivered to the Squadron. On 6 January , a single K1 aircraft, together with a small detachment of Squadron personnel, were deployed to Riyadh to support the RAF fighter force and other probeequipped receivers.
By the time this detachment was withdrawn in March , the single aircraft had flown over 90 AAR missions, accumulating over flying hours and transferring 3,, kg of fuel. The success of the campaign resulted in the award of the DFC to one of the Squadron pilots, along with 4 other awards to aircrew for gallantry. The Squadron remained in Italy until July , ensuring that peace prevailed in the volatile Balkan region.
This detachment, based in Bahrain, supported the long-standing commitment by UN Forces to maintain the no-fly zone over Southern Iraq. During the course of operations, the Squadron had the distinction of being the first Allied tanker asset to enter Afghanistan airspace, and in a period of just 4 months had dispensed more than 10, tons of fuel to coalition aircraft. Throughout the duration of the conflict, the Tristars of Squadron flew approximately AAR missions, amassing flying hours and dispensing in excess of ,00 kg of fuel to Coalition aircraft.
In the Air Transport role the Squadron deployed 16, personnel and tonnes of freight to the Middle East. Operations wing Operations Wing encompasses a wide range of activities from flight planning to mission preparation and from air traffic control to fire fighting; it is the heart of all flying activities at RAF Brize Norton. Whether it is a VC10 on a North Sea air-to-air refuelling sortie, a Tristar at Ascension Island or a C17 supporting operations in some farflung part of the world, the personnel of Station Operations are there to ensure that our aircraft are fully supported 24 hours per day, days per year.
Operations Wing provides a worldwide flight planning capability, aviation information facilities, meteorological services and support to visiting aircraft, including frequent visiting VIP flights and a variety of civilian aircraft movements.
The Headquarters also provides intelligence and tactical briefings, through a dedicated Mission Support Cell, to all Brize Norton aircraft departing to the various operational theatres around the world.
Its role was to provide much needed centralised control to the surrounding airspace and to manage the increasing flow of transiting aircraft. ATC is also open 24 hours every day and handles approximately , aircraft movements annually. Radar services are provided to transiting aircraft within a 60nm radius of Brize Norton. The aerodrome supports a wide variety of aircraft types, from light aircraft to huge Antonov heavy-lift aircraft.
All of this is achieved in the midst of one of the most congested pieces of airspace in the UK. The fire section also provides fire safety advice and domestic fire cover for arguably the largest RAF base. Operations Wing is also home to 2 small specialist units. The Standards and Evaluation unit STANEVAL is a small cadre of highly-qualified aircrew whose task is the continuous maintenance of flying standards for VC10 and Tristar aircrews, as well as the provision of specialist advice on flying matters to the Station executives.
A strong bond between PJIs and airborne troops, based on tradition and mutual respect, has developed over the years and remains strong to the present day. Demands for airborne soldiers in other war areas led to the establishment of other parachute training schools in India, the Middle East and Italy. Throughout its history, the School has utilised many aircraft to provide the platforms for training and operations, including the Whitley, Halifax, Dakota, Valetta, Hastings, Beverly, Argosy and Andover.
Presently, No 1 PTS is populated by 7 officers and 52 SNCOs who are responsible for delivering initial training on all parachute types used by airborne forces. The RAF Falcons conduct at least 90 parachute displays every year throughout the UK and Europe; in order to conduct training and displays they use a variety of jump platforms, including C, Puma and civilian aircraft.
A staff of 5 PJIs and a small support component ensure that basic and advanced sports parachute courses offer service personnel the opportunity to participate in this exciting and exceptionally challenging activity. It brought together those logistic organisations directly supporting the operational output of the Station.
Fwd Spt Wg is the largest single organisation at RAF Brize Norton and comprises four squadrons with an established strength of about Servicemen and 75 civilians. PCF controls aircraft maintenance documentation procedures, provides quality assurance and, through the Station Publications and Forms Store SPFS , issues the many publications and forms required on the Unit.
GEF looks after a broad range of equipment, from complex aircraft ground support equipment to domestic electrical items. AEF is subdivided into 2 sections maintaining arms and munitions, aircraft survival equipment and flying clothing.
PEF undertakes parachute maintenance in direct support of specialist parachuting for all 3 Services. LPMF provides on-site supply support to Tactical Communications Wing, aircraft deployed overseas through spares packups and mobility support across the whole of Brize Norton.
Split between 4 shifts, the Squadron is responsible for the day-to-day running of the aircraft and for ensuring that aircraft are in the correct role fit for the designated mission. Other elements of the Squadron include Heavy Rectifications Flight HRF , responsible for rectifying major aircraft faults, and Support Flight, responsible for the ground support of the aircraft wherever they are in the world. They operate 24 hours a day, a year to move nearly , passengers and 23 million kg of Freight, Bags and Mail each year in support of the British Armed Forces in all theatres throughout the world.
With over Service and Civilian personnel, they provide a range of services and equipment including: aircraft refuellers, air cargo handling equipment, heavy aircraft tractors, de-icing and snow clearing equipment and vehicles.
Tasks include the storage of aircraft fuel, maintenance of specialist equipment and the provision of refuelling personnel and equipment. The Ground Fuels element of the Flight manage all ground based fuels, packed stocks and cylinders and is the focal point for special waste management.
The CIMT reacts to all reports on contract performance and keeps under constant review all performance standards and indicators relevant to the Contract. Its workload can vary from being minimal one day to catering for several hundred the next. Meal times are published in SROs and are displayed at the Restaurant entrance. The Mess operates a no smoking policy and a minimum dress standard.
Casual meal tickets can be purchased from the Main Guardroom between hours and from onwards. Serco activities cover a wide range of tasks, and include provision of supply support for all of them. In addition, Serco provide support to the Station through Security - Control of Entry and Pass Issue duties, domestic and aircraft cleaning and elements of the aircraft Movements tasks where they are integrated with the RAF Movements staff.
Through sub-contracts Serco also provide domestic services that includes tailoring, general and specialist waste disposal including recycling where appropriate, laundry, window cleaning and pest control services.
Administrative Wing Administrative Wing encompasses a wide range of personnel, welfare, facilities management, security and training activities on the Station, and includes medical, dental and chaplaincy services.
As a whole, the Squadron is responsible for all aspects of personnel administration for Service personnel, including pay, careers, legal matters and welfare. The General Office is open between hours. Personnel should note that requests for works services must be submitted through a building custodian. All requests will be treated realistically against current financial constraints. Single junior ranks requiring temporary or permanent accommodation are to apply in advance or on arrival through the Station Disciplinary Office in Admin Wing HQ.
In addition, they provide management planning capability in areas such as establishments, parenting of other units, risk management and efficiency. The Flight is open weekdays from hours and, although officially closed for lunch, there is usually someone available to help with any enquiries. The Cashier Office is open for public and non-public transactions between hours, Monday to Friday, and for nonpublic transactions only between hours Monday to Thursday and hours on Friday.
Personnel are invited to approach the Allowances staff to ensure that they have claimed for all they are entitled to. The Flight is manned 24 hours to provide advice and assistance.
If you have any enquiries, or require assistance, contact the RAF Police duty staff on extension Passes for the families of Service personnel are issued from the Passes and Permits Office, located at the Main Entrance. All motor vehicles, including motor cycles, must be registered with, and a vehicle pass obtained from, the Passes and Permits Office. More than people, including some foreign nationals, were on the flight and military medics were on board to assist the operation.
The passengers have been taken to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they will be quarantined for 14 days.
It comes as another person has tested positive for the virus in England, bringing the total number of cases in the country to four. Meanwhile, a British national in Majorca tested positive for coronavirus while his wife and daughters tested negative.
The death toll in China from the coronavirus has risen to , surpassing SARS fatalities in the outbreak. Send Inquiry To receive further information or request a quote, complete your details and a representative from will be in touch.
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