Airborne Delivery Wing

Knowledge dispels fear

About

Established as the Parachute Training Squadron in 1940.

The RAF Falcons, the RAF’s official Parachute Display Team, was formed in 1965.

Responsible for all of the parachute training for all 3 services.

Airborne Delivery Wing comprises of the following elements:

Headquarters and Operations Squadron (ADW Ops)

The Headquarters and Operation Squadron coordinates all assets, both manpower and logistical support to enable training and operational tasking to be completed.

Parachute Training Squadron (PTS)

PTS deliver ab-initio Parachute training to the Front-Line Commands (FLC) in the form of:

  • Parachute Courses ranging from Low Level Static line round Parachute Trg from 800Ft to High level Free-Fall training from 25000Ft.
  • Both Low- and high-level Static Line Square parachute courses and the more specialist High Altitude Parachute Course (HAPC) and the Tandem Master course.
  • Conduct continuation training in all the elements of the parachute courses to the Front Line Commands, keeping these elements of the Navy, Army and Air Force at a state of readiness.
  • Professionally Develop first tourist Parachute Jumping instructors by exposing them to disciplines of instruction, despatching and more advanced parachuting training and course delivery.

Support Squadron (Spt Sqn)

Support Squadron comprises of:

  • Instructor Training Flight (ITF). The role of ITF is to train and develop PJIs throughout their career.
  • Training Design Section (TD&A). The role of TD&A is to provide assurance of courses and training activity. Design of training courses and support to the Training delivery Advisor and Training Requirement Advisor.
  • Display Flight (RAF Falcons Parachute Display team). The role of the RAF Falcons is to support ACAS Engagement Strategy by providing public parachute displays in the UK and overseas.
  • Digital roles. Spt Sqn has 3 stand-alone digital positions., Unit Flight Safety Officer, primarily responsible for implementing the Air Safety Management Plan. Training Standards; responsible for monitoring the standard of training delivered throughout the Wing, and a Drop Zone Safety Officer (DZSO) training and development role.

MAB Delivery Squadron (MDS)

MDS deliver continuation training to Specialist Training Units in preparation for parachute insertion using advanced parachute techniques.

Parachute Engineering Squadron (PES)

PES carries out all forward and depth servicing, maintenance, rigging and the repair of main and reserve parachutes used across a variety of Military Parachutes. The Squadron consists mainly of Survival Equipment Specialists from Trade Group 13. Additionally, the Parachute Engineering Squadron is responsible for the provision, coordination and control of Aircrew Equipment Assemblies and ancillary equipment.

History

1940 - Formed at RAF Ringway as the Parachute Training Squadron.

1942 – Became an independent unit known as the Parachute Training School.

1944 - Supported Operation Market Garden.

1946 - Moved to RAF Upper Heyford.

1950 - Moved to RAF Abingdon.

1956 - Supported 3 PARA during the Suez crisis.

1976 - Moved to its current home at RAF Brize Norton.