A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR RAF FAMILIES FEATURES
Once the Typhoons are complete and are departing, we start to hear the Tornados asking air traffic control if they can join us. The captain clears the Tornados to formate on us while air traffic are asking for our spare fuel state. An unplanned receiver is looking for some fuel. Sure enough we are asked if we're able to accommodate another two Typhoons. After some quick maths and a check of timings, we agree the additional task is achievable.
The convex Tornado pilot is having trouble plugging in, which is understandable because he is flying a fast jet at 290 knots behind a 200 tonne Voyager whilst trying to hit a target approximately 1m across with his refuelling probe. As all this is happening a call comes through on the radio. We are to cease refuelling and contact the Air Battlespace Managers (ABMs) - fighter controllers in old parlance.
We are re-tasked from our original mission in support of QRA, and given a location to fly to from the ABM. We head south where an airliner approaching UK airspace is not talking to Air Traffic Control. The QRA Typhoons have scrambled from Coningsby and are racing at supersonic speeds to intercept. We will be on task as quickly as possible to refuel the jets. It transpired that the airliner had incorrectly tuned his radio, however it proved that Voyager and QRA are poised 24/7 365 days a year to respond to any potential airborne threat.
During the intercept, the Hercules we were due to refuel had been continuing with its training elsewhere in the country. We communicated via ATC and let them know we were available again. The crew ask that we meet them in a different part of the country. Half an hour later the image of a giant C-130J is filling my centre panoramic screen. The Hercules takes longer to
Sgt Pringle Oversees AAR.
change formation, but it's a bit more impressive than the fast jets when you see such a large aircraft drifting behind the centreline hose before prodding away.
After the Hercules is complete we return to Brize Norton and debrief, discussing the day’s tasking. However, it isn't always Brize Norton we return to after a mission. We always have MSO crews in the Falkland Islands where they provide 24-hour cover for quick reaction tasking and medical/ compassionate moves. There are also MSOs in Cyprus supporting refuelling operations over Iraq (Op SHADER) and one on 24-hour standby at Brize Norton in support of QRA. On top of all these commitments, we support world-wide operations and exercises in UAE, Oman, Malaysia, USA and Cyprus to name a few.
So as you can see, it’s not all chicken and beef with a bit of refuelling on the side!
MSO View Typhoon AAR. 12 Envoy Winter 2015
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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