People
The view from the shop floor...
Corporal Kelly Salt, Aerospace Systems Operator (ASOP) RAF Spadeadam
As an Aerospace Systems Operator (ASOP), I’ve had the pleasure of working in many different and exciting areas. At RAF Spadeadam, I am part of a highly trained team, working in a large and busy Operations Room. I am what you could call the ‘conductor of the orchestra’, whose job it is to maintain effective communication with the equipment, the radar, and its operator.
In this job, I have to think on my feet, deciding on how best to use the equipment and radars. I direct the operator using the radar, onto the hostile aircraft, by giving a bearing, height and range. The operator then uses the radar to search that sector of sky. It is imperative that I give the operator timely updates of the aircraft movements, enabling him or her to work quickly and effectively, thus giving us more of a chance to take down the enemy.
Once the radar has ‘locked on’ to the aircraft and is ‘auto-tracking’, the equipment will simulate a missile launch. The 'enemy' aircraft will then try to evade the missile. This gives our highly skilled pilots invaluable training, ensuring that they are fully prepared for operational duties anywhere in the world.
Corporal Donna Esders, Personnel Services Flight
As a Personnel Administrator I undertake a wide variety of jobs. As the trade title specifies, I administer the personal records of military personnel. I am the first Point of Contact for general enquiries related to pay, absence, out of area (OOA) preparation, duty travel, discharge preparation, maternity and paternity leave, promotions and allowances.
My day-to-day job involves me liaising with both internal personnel and external organisations, such as the Joint Personnel Administration Centre and Glasgow Pay and Personnel Centre. I also liaise with other service establishments including the RAF Assistant Chief of Staff Manning organisation and civilian travel organisations.
Using experience, training and guidance where necessary, I maintain allowances, personnel documentation, absence and general records using the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system and manual registers for all personnel at this unit. Being efficient and organised is essential to this job to ensure all personnel are administered correctly and effectively.
Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Ken Rigby, a T43 Threat Emitter Technician
As a technician on the T43 mobile threat emitter section, I work as part of a team that is required to enact a series of daily maintenance tasks on the two radar systems under our care. This is done to ensure that the equipment is kept in a fully serviceable condition. we are regularly responsible for deploying the radars to, and recovering them from, various operational sites across Cumbria, often on short notice and in adverse weather conditions.
After a radar system has been deployed, the T43 technicians are required to operate the equipment, providing a realistic anti-air threat for all aircraft over the Spadeadam electronic warfare range. Whilst operating the radar, we work in conjunction with the aircraft controllers in the Ops building and the other mobile threat emitter sections, enacting various scenarios to provide a realistic hostile air defence environment for the aircrew who are training overhead.
We are often tasked with transporting our equipment further afield on exercises, which provides vital support for air forces across Europe and the Middle East.
A day in the life of SAC (T) Dave Anderson
As an Information and Communications Technician working on the Tracked Vehicle Section (TVS) in German Air Force Equipment (GAFE), my day can be quite varied. In the TVS we operate and maintain 2 SA-6 Straight Flush anti-aircraft missile threat systems and two ZSU 23-4 self propelled anti aircraft guns. The importance of these systems is high, as threats like these provide first rate electronic warfare and tactics training for RAF aircrews.
Life can be challenging within the section, as most of the technical documentation is Russian, and the equipment needs extensive maintenance to retain effectiveness. Therefore our technical skills are relied on heavily. On a typical day I arrive in the hangar with my colleagues, and we organise tasks that need to be carried out. I am generally tasked to either carry out scheduled servicing or operate the systems out on our expansive range. On a normal day we will utilise our threat systems against both RAF and other NATO nations’ aircraft. It is not unusual to successfully simulate shooting down a Eurofighter Typhoon and a F15 Eagle in the same morning. Electronic Warfare is a vital segment of modern combat techniques, so the training delivered is much appreciated and rewarding for the aircrew. We often conduct electronic countermeasure trials in which new equipment is tested. This is extremely rewarding as the equipment that is subsequently developed can save lives.
If I am not operating on the range with the threat systems, I am expected to work in a team and rectify any faults. This can be intense, especially during large exercises when we have deadlines to meet.
We also get to drive the ‘tanks’ when we deploy to different areas of the range. As a qualified tracked vehicle marshaller, I am responsible for guiding the driver into position, often in tight areas. One false move and the whole system could be permanently damaged, and I am well aware purchasing a new ‘1960s Russian tank’ is not an easy job.
The gym at RAF Spadeadam is very good, and I often get time when my duties are done to go and weight train, or play football.
Spade's Holding Officers - what do they think of us?
Our first impressions when we arrived here were mixed to say the least. What beautiful scenery but is there actually a base in the middle of it? Tumble weed rolled across the parade ground as we both unloaded and moved into Trenchard Hall, a rather large residential portacabin and home for the next 3 months.
Our first experience of RAF Spadeadam was definitely the most memorable and something neither of us will be able to forget - on entering the Tactics, Trials and Planning Flight for the first time and running smack into a half-naked Squadron Leader getting changed for work! . Despite everything they teach you on Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell, no amount of pine poles or tripods can prepare you for this type of scenario. The first week at RAF Spadeadam was a complete information overload as we attempted to learn people’s names, where things were located on the base, the different types of kits we would use and how to get from A to B without getting lost. We both ended up very confused but seem to be getting to grips with things a little better now.
Our reception on the Station could not have been better, each individual we have had contact with has been eager to tell us about themselves and what they do here. The Spadeadam community is full of excellent characters and feels very close-knit and as far as we have seen people tend to enjoy what they are doing and get on well! The biggest thing we’ve seen this week is the potential of RAF Spadeadam with both high calibre personnel and a very very large train set with which to play. With only a week’s knowledge of the place there is not much we can say about the Operational running of RAF Spadeadam, especially when the majority of our time has been taken up by Landrover cramming and genning up on East German equipment. As far as we can see Spadeadam is a hub of activity aimed at providing aircrew with the skills they require to be effective (and alive!) whilst on the Front Line doing what they do best.
A no-holds-barred account of Saxon Shield 2006, by Range Controller, Sqn Ldr Andy Coleman
Click here, then hold on to your helmets!