Presenters

Squadron Leader Elaine Smith

Elaine joined the RAF in 1997, straight from university. On completion of both Initial Officer Training and Flight Operations specialisation training, she joined No 216 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, as their first Operations Officer. During this tour Elaine spent time deployed with the squadron during the Kosovo conflict in 1999. In 2000 she joined No 99 Squadron, also at RAF Brize Norton and was involved with the introduction into service of the C17 Globemaster. This was followed by a deployment to Oman in support of Operation VERITAS taking place in Afghanistan. On her return to the UK, Elaine joined the Joint Helicopter Force (JHF) at RAF Odiham. During two tours at this base she was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, in 2003, during the initial phase of Operation TELIC, and subsequently took part in numerous training exercises back in the UK involving the JHF and 16 Air Assault Brigade.

In 2004 she was posted to RAF Strike Command and was Aide-de-Comp to the Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group for two years. This was followed by another deployment, in 2006, this time to Al Udeid in Qatar, as part of 902 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) as Flight Commander Operations looking after all the UK air assets that were either based at, or transited through, the base. On returning to the UK in 2007, Elaine was promoted to Squadron Leader and posted for a short tour to the Combined Air Operations Centre at RAF High Wycombe to oversee the UK participation in a Europe-wide Air Defence exercise. After a successful exercise she was posted to RAF Kinloss as Squadron Leader Operation where, along with her team, she co-ordinated numerous national and international exercises and she was a key player in the station’s Post Crash Management, flight safety and contingency planning work.

Elaine's last deployment was in Kandahar, Afghanistan as Squadron Leader operations within 904 EAW directly supporting the RAF’s air power contribution to Operation HERRICK. Elaine joined the RAF for a little adventure and to travel the world and from early in her career she has been lucky to realise both. She also enjoys hill walking, photography and travel (not with the RAF).

To find out about what Elaine's job in the RAF involves, click on this link RAF Flight Operations Officer