Tactical Medical Wing

HQ Tactical Medical Wing ‘provides the central focus for the RAF MS preparatory operational activity and all strategic aeromedical evacuation’.

HQ TMW is a unique air combat support unity based at RAF Lyneham. It is the operational hub for all personnel of the RAF Medical Services. Acting primarily in an enabling capacity, it performance 4 operationally essential tasks, the provision of immediately deployable high readiness personnel, worldwide aeromedical evacuation, operational medical training, the provision of medical logistics.

TMW is comprised of 4 sqns:

· operational and logistics squadron

· aeromedical evacuation Sqn

· deployed aeromedical response teams

· training and support Sqn

TMW also relies heavily on the reserve capabilities of No 4626 AE Sqn RAuxAF and No 612 Sqn RAux AF

Blogs

Fg Off Emma Cole BSc - Medical Support Officer

I joined the RAF in 2009 on graduation from Queen Mary University of London with a BSC in Genetics and Microbiology. Having wanted to join the RAF from a young age, I chose the Medical Support Branch as it offered the opportunity of a wide variety of roles within a medical environment.

I wanted to join as a commissioned officer for the opportunity to receive world class leadership training, with the prospect of early responsibility and a defined structure for career progression.

I graduated from Royal Air Force College Cranwell in February 2010 and was posted to Tactical Medical Wing RAF Lyneham as OC Control Room. This post has offered an abundance of new challenges within the Medical Services. I have been extrememly lucky in the development opportunities available including a career high so far; taking part in a CCAST Flight. TMW is a fantastic place to work with Personnel who are always willing to help and develop you. Being the hub of RAF Medical operation, it offers a operationally focused environment with the opportunity to gain insight into the wider Medical Services and how all the components work together.

I look forward to the remainder of my tour at TMW and hope to return as my career develops within the MSO Branch.

Sgt Andy Thomas – Paramedic DARTS TMW (Qualified as a paramedic Dec 08)

A new role has emerged for the Paramedics and Medics of the RAF Medical Services, supporting the RAF Regiment in ground operations in Afghanistan. I was deployed on a 3 month tour to Kandahar Airfield and really did not know what to expect. I would work 12 days out of 16 deployed in the field. In simple terms where the Regiment went so did we. This involved living in tough field conditions, conducting twice daily foot patrols in the searing heat with 35kg of fighting and medical kit. Our job was to provide a high standard of care should it be required that is equivalent if not exceeding that which is available in the NHS, any where at any time. The RAF Regiment work in a difficult and dangerous physically demanding environment. I now hope that they and there loved ones feel safe in the knowledge that should things go wrong then the RAF Medical Services have staff to hand within seconds to provide the life saving treatment that may be required.