Operations Squadron

Operations Squadron, commanded by a General Duties (Flying) Squadron Leader, controls the day-to-day flying activities on the range. The Squadron ensures that our customer, the pilot, can achieve his/her training objectives, by developing an understanding of missile threats and how to defeat them. The Squadron also controls Wiley Sike Air Weapons Range, where practice bombs can be dropped and the use of the estate for ground training. Operations Squadron consists of Range Control, Air Traffic Control, Operations Support Flight, Trials Tactics and Plans Flight and Defence Fire & Rescue Service.

Range Control

The Range Controller is responsible for co-ordinating activities on the range and runs the Operations Room. The team within the Operations Room consists of Air Traffic Control, Flight Operations Assistants and Aerospace Systems Operators.

Air Traffic Control

The Air Traffic Control Flight consists of Controllers and Flight Operations Assistants.

Controllers are responsible for providing an Air Traffic Service to the aircraft and maintaining flight safety. The unit is fully equipped with search radar, to detect moving objects, and interrogator radar, to display the transponder code transmitted by suitably equipped aircraft. This gives the controller an air picture, which can be used to control the range aircraft and provide a warning about other aircraft in the area. An Air Traffic Service can also be provided to civilian aircraft operating in the Spadeadam area, which can then be warned about the military aircraft.

Flight Operations Assistants(FOA) are vital to the smooth running of the Operations Room and complete most of the necessary administration functions, allowing the Range Controller and Air Traffic Controllers to concentrate on conducting the missions. As well as assisting the Range and Air Traffic Controllers, the FOA take range bookings and run the unit Metrological facilities and are responsible for completing the Metrological Observations, which are passed to pilots.

If you plan to fly in the Spadeadam area and wish to speak to Air Traffic Control then please call before flight on:

016977 49486

or in the air on:

VHF 128.725MHz

Operations Support Flight

Operations support flight is manned by a team of Aerospace Systems Operators (ASOPs). They are primarily responsible for acting as the main point of contact between the threat Radars and the incoming aircraft. They are responsible for ensuring threats are directed onto aircraft and the training scenario is as accurate and realistic as possible. Once the mission is complete they edit all the information received on the mission and produce out of this an accurate Post Mission Report. In conjunction with this text version of events they also transmit a graphical representation of the mission. By the time the aircrew have flown back to base, these reports have been edited, sent and are waiting in the Squadrons debriefing rooms. The aircrew can then, over a well earned cup of tea, go through their mission, second by second assessing not only what they did successfully, but having the luxury of the opportunity to learn from any mistakes. In a real mission over hostile territory they do not have this luxury so the opportunity to learn to ‘fight another day’ is vital. The flight also operates the Smokey Sam Simulator, which is a pyrotechnic that gives the aircrew a visual realism to the training.

Trials, Tactics and Plans Flight

The Trials, Tactics and Plans (TTAP) Flight consists of 3 specialist officers from the Aircrew, Ground Based Air Defence and Intelligence branches, each bringing some unique skills to Spadeadam. Working together with all sections at Spadeadam they ensure that the tactical training provided by the Station is high in quality and relevant to today’s ever-changing threat environments.

TTAP Flight liaises closely with all squadrons and other units planning to use the range for exercises, operational work-up periods and trials. As well as offering advice and an advance booking facility, we are responsible for providing quality assurance of training given.

Defence Fire and Rescue Service

Role:

To respond to emergency incidents on and around the RAF Spadeadam range primarily to save lives and protect property. The Fire section provides 24/7 cover all year round regardless of the Spadeadam weather!

The Fire and Rescue Service also provides:-

• Fire Safety Training and Management including:-
• Fire Safety Training for all employees on the camp.
• Carry out Fire Safety Inspection ensuring FSMP’s are maintained.
• Carry out Fire Extinguisher maintenance.
• Test Fire Alarm Systems.
• Carry out evacuation Drills.
• After hours building checks to ensure good housekeeping.

 Attend SHEF meetings to maintain good communications with all heads of sections.

• 1st Aid Training and 1st Aid cover.
• Environmental Protection.
• Wash down roads, kits & Buildings
• Stand by for Aircraft movements & Live Bombing
• Assists in operating the simulated Ground Defence System by firing SSS near the aircraft.
• Assist with Advantica’s large scale testing.