RAF Wittering News

Electrical and mechanical technicians in 5001 Squadron at Royal Air Force Wittering in Cambridgeshire have a vital role in keeping air power in the air.

Squadron Leader Alicia Mason is officer commanding 5001 Squadron and is the first woman to be appointed to the role. With a bachelor’s degree in engineering and postings with RAF Typhoons and the Red Arrows under her belt, Sqn Ldr Mason is well qualified for the job.

She said: “We’re deployed all over the world. Any time a flying squadron goes anywhere, any kind of deployment that needs an engineering element – you can bet that 5001 Squadron will be involved, getting the place set up and ready.”

A recent example of 5001 Squadron’s work was Operation Azotize, known also as the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission. At air bases in Estonia and Lithuania, the technicians built aircraft shelters, provided air conditioning, maintained power supplies and provided temperature controlled storage facilities.

5001 Squadron is part of the RAF A4 Force Elements, the deployable engineering and logistics squadrons which support UK military air power at home and across the globe.

Squadron Leader Mason’s interest in the RAF began with the Air Cadets. She said: “There was flying and gliding for free, lots of sport and other great stuff going on and we had the amazing opportunity to spend camps at busy RAF Stations. Engineering sounded really cool, our instructors explained what the jobs were about and where they were going in the world. I wanted a piece of that!”

Travel has certainly been a feature of Alicia’s career. She has served in Kandahar, Afghanistan and Al Udeid, Qatar as well as travelling extensively with the Red Arrows during her tour as the Junior Engineering Officer. Her time with the famous Aerobatic Team involved hands on aircraft engineering.

She said: “A lot of the time I was doing hands on maintenance, servicing Red One’s aircraft before and after displays. It was a such a practical tour, which is why it was so valuable, you’re really in amongst it.”

Alicia spent four years at university studying for her engineering degree, which she feels prepared her well for a career in the RAF. She said: “The later stages definitely helped. Having that maths and physics experience in aerodynamics and thermodynamics was really useful.”

The journey to 5001 Squadron took an unexpected, but welcome turn. Flight Lieutenant Mason was originally intended to be second in command at 5001 but received her promotion to Squadron Leader just as the top spot became vacant.  

Alicia said: “I got a really good vibe about the place as soon as I arrived. It’s a different sort of RAF engineering at 5001 Squadron than I’m used to, but what we do makes a real difference to operations. You’ve got to have all the right elements on the ground if you want to keep aircraft in the air.”

After 16 years in the RAF, Squadron Leader Mason has no doubts about her choices or her enthusiasm to see more women join up. She said: “Go for it! There are some many exciting opportunities that you can get your teeth into and be proud to say you’ve been part of something extraordinary.”