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The Station

78 Squadron, Swanwick forms one part of the Air Command and Control Force, within Global Enablement, No.2 Group. It is embedded within the London Area Control Centre run by National Air Traffic Services (NATS). The Squadron is made up of many critical Air Traffic, Airspace Management and Air Defence sections.

The area control team support military and civilian flights throughout the UK Flight Information Region (FIR), with Northolt Radar supporting the terminal Air Traffic Control (ATC) task of RAF Northolt.

Distress and Diversion Cell is an emergency centre ready to assist aircraft in distress around the whole of the UK FIR, while also providing vital other supporting functions.

The Military Airspace Management Cell manage the UK Low Flying System and the segregation of large areas of airspace for military training.

The Radar Analysis Cell work closely with the UK Airprox Board to provide radar data for investigations.

The Resilience Entity provides air defence support to its sister squadron (19) at RAF Boulmer.

Finally, 144 Signals Unit provide underpinning engineering support to certain elements of Squadron output.

Nobody unprepared

Commander

Wing Commander Ian Evans

Wing Commander Ian ‘Taff’ Evans joined the RAF in 2005 and attended the Joint Air Traffic Control Course at RAF Shawbury, winning the Bunting Trophy, and was posted to RAF Valley in Sep 2006. During this time, he deployed to Basra, Iraq on Op Telic.

Following Area Radar training, Evans was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan on Op Herrick. On return, he took an instructor role at RAF Shawbury.

Evans assumed command as Officer Commanding 78 Squadron, Swanwick in July 2023.

Who's based here

Units

History

There were three main military area radar units in the United Kingdom; RAF Sopley, RAF Lindholme and RAF Watton. In 1959, area radar control was introduced to RAF Sopley. During 1960s and 1970s both civil and military controllers worked there being known as the Southern Radar.

Also in the late 1950s, RAF Lindholme became the home of the Northern Radar. It provided radar services across the country using its Type 82 radar as well as links to other military radar heads.

In the mid 1960s RAF Watton became the home of Eastern & Border radar. Eastern radar operated between 1965-1988 and Border radar operated between 1989-1992.

In 1966 the London Air Traffic Control Centre opened in West Drayton and was the area radar hub for many years.

2002 saw civilian area radar units move to Swanwick whilst the military and terminal control centres remained at West Drayton. It wasn’t until 2007 / 2008 that all radar units were located at Swanwick along with the Distress and Diversion Cell.

Northern radar, initially at Lindholme, moved to RAF Prestwick in Scotland until December 2013 when the military controllers all co-located to Swanwick. North civilian counterparts remain at Prestwick.

Key dates

2002   NATS completed at Swanwick leading to the initial transfer of some civilian and military area radar control from West Drayton to Swanwick.

2007 - 2008   The remaining control functions, both civilian and military, moved to Swanwick, after which the West Drayton site was sold.

2011   Northolt Radar was transferred to Swanwick.

2012   The unit controlled the restricted airspace over London for the 2012 Olympics.

2013   All military area radar control moved to Swanwick following the closure of RAF Prestwick.

2021   RAF (U) Swanwick renamed to 78 Squadron.

2024   78 Squadron received its ceremonial Standard.

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