EDUCATION “HALTON J
unior rank recruits, from dental nurses to communication technicians, undertake an intense initial training programme at Halton, which is known as “The Gateway to the RAF”.
After four weeks of general service training, mostly classroom-based, the recruits move on to basic military skills with RAF Regiment instructors, including learning how to stay safe under chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack, known as CBRN.
Cpl Ashley Webb, 29, who has spent three years as a recruit instructor at RAF Halton said: “All recruits to the RAF have to pass force protection training, no matter what their role will be once they graduate.”
Most of the intense CBRN training is conducted wearing bulky protective clothing and a ‘gas mask’, known in the forces as the ‘General Service Respirator,’ a state of the art design which offers the best possible protection.
Describing the various elements, such as first aid, weapons and field tactics, as well as CBRN, Cpl Webb said: “Every trade has to be able to function effectively on operations and that’s what we’re training here.”
Gateway to the RAF” by Corporal John McPhie
The realistic culmination of the exercise involves the trainees carrying out drills under the watchful eyes of their instructors, in a building filled with CS gas, to simulate a chemical attack.
One of the trainees, Aircraftsman Craig Bailey, 26, from Birmingham said: “I’m loving the training so far, although this has been the most challenging part. I’m going to be an RAF Policeman and I’m really looking forward to graduating, my mum will be very proud!”
After successful completion of military skills training, the recruits progress to the third phase of basic training, leading to their graduation, after which they will receive training in their specific trades.
Aircraftsman Charlotte Styles, 18, from Oxford is planning to be an aircraft mechanic. She said: “I only decided to join the RAF recently but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. “The CBRN training has been tough but it is vital that we can operate under these conditions.”
Charlotte, a former Air Cadet, comes from a military family. Her father is also an RAF aircraft engineer and her grandfather was a pilot in the RAF.
“I’m very proud to be serving in the RAF,” she said: “Especially as the first military female in my family!”
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Envoy Summer 2014
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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