Number 1 Air Mobility Wing (1AMW), based at Royal Air Force Brize Norton, have been adding an extra level of realism to their
training during Exercise Swift Pirate, which took place at
Royal Air Force Wittering.
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Royal Air Force Wittering doubles as a basic airfield in a foreign country, so that personnel from 1AMW can hone the skills they’d use when deployed on operations. This year’s exercise has been designed to simulate a humanitarian crisis where 1AMW’s skills will be put to the test.
The exercise has been running at the Cambridgeshire Station since 2018, and sees aircraft from the RAF’s Air Mobility Force join the training alongside other Support Force Elements comprised of specialist engineering and logistics squadrons which support military air operations and exercises in the UK and abroad.
Number 1 Air Mobility Wing specialises in aircraft handling, passenger and cargo handling and the safe loading and unloading of military transport aircraft. During the exercise, 1AMW personnel live in tented accommodation and work as they would on an undeveloped airfield. The team are also trained to deal with simulated attacks from hostiles, and train for a range of humanitarian aid issues. These could be as simple as children asking for food and water to more complex issues such as sightings of people being abducted. Another important part of the exercise is the opportunity for the UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron (UKMAMS) to qualify to perform Engine Running Onloads/Offloads, a valuable key skill required by all on the Squadron.
Squadron Leader Matthew Rose, the Exercise Coordinator, said:
“The aim of the exercise is to confirm to Officer Commanding 1 AMW that UKMAMS are prepared to deploy in support of any emerging operations as well as a range of enduring operations from the Falklands to the Middle East and Africa. In my role, I am a focal point between other Force Elements that support the exercise: RAF Wittering who allow us to exercise on their Field Training Area, utilise their Air Traffic Control services and support us from a Fire and Crash cover perspective; the Air Mobility Force who offer us live aircraft by which to conduct Engine Running On/Offloads; 2 Mechanical Transport who offer vehicle and transportation support; and of course everyone's favourite unit when deployed, 3 Mobile Catering Squadron who feed and water the entire team so delightfully throughout the course of the week.
"This exercise forms a small but significant part in our role to fulfil the RAF Support Force Mission:
As one of the 6-pillars of RAF Global Enablement, the Support Force Mission is to deliver, now and in the future, the essential Air Operations Enablement including high-readiness Force Elements and Defence Engagement needed to support Air and Space Power operations”
Squadron Leader Matthew Rose
Exercise Swift Pirate Coordinator
With its long runway and wide taxiways, RAF Wittering’s spacious airfield is perfect for the Air Mobility Force C-17 Globemaster and A400M Atlas aircraft, which support the exercise. The Station is an ideal place for training, fieldwork and live aircraft operations. It is also only a short flying distance from RAF Brize Norton, which allows the 1AMW team to work through multiple training activities quite quickly.
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