Group Captain Simon Blackwell has handed command of the Air Mobility Force’s Air Wing to Group Captain Gareth Burdett.
The Air Wing comprises of seven operational Air Mobility squadrons. These squadrons fly C-130J Hercules, A400M Atlas, C-17A Globemaster III, Voyager, Envoy and the A109 helicopter. The Air Wing also includes the Air Mobility Operational Conversion Unit (XXIV Squadron), the Airborne Delivery Wing which trains the UK military’s parachutists, and 622 (RAuxAF) Squadron that provides a pool of reservist aircrew, engineers and flight operations specialists.
The Air Wing works with its critical enablers at RAF Brize Norton, RAF Northolt and overseas to deliver decisive military effect, which in the last 12 months alone has included the evacuation from Kabul and being at the forefront of UK’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
During the handover, Group Captain Blackwell flew his final Voyager air-to-air refuelling sortie, dispensing fuel to an A400M Atlas piloted by Group Captain Burdett.
Group Captain Blackwell said:
“It has been an absolute privilege to command the Air Mobility Air Wing for the last 2 years. What the Wing has achieved in that time has been simply staggering. A relentless and historic operational tempo demanding Air Mobility effect across the globe on countless operations and exercises has been accompanied by continual capability development and innovation. The commitment and talent of the personnel of the Air Mobility Force is humbling to watch in action and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their incredible efforts. I hand over command to Group Captain Burdett who I know will take the Air Wing onto even greater things.”
Group Captain Simon Blackwell
Outgoing Commander Air Wing
Group Captain Burdett said:
I’m delighted to be taking command of the Air Wing at such an exciting time for the Air Mobility Force. What really stands out is the quality of the people we have. The Wing’s achievements under Group Captain Blackwell’s command have been truly remarkable, and it is great to be working with them again. With new capabilities coming on-line all the time, and an incessant operational demand, the one thing we can be sure of is that the Wing will be incredibly busy!’
Group Captain Gareth Burdett
Commander Air Wing
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