Force HQ contribute to the achievement of the 90SU Strategic Objectives by ensuring the delivery of a coherent, integrated and appropriately structured unit and by preparing the unit for Expeditionary Operations by encouraging a culture of high-performance across the unit.
Operations Squadron is responsible for planning, tasking and sustaining all 90 SU commitments. Commanded by a squadron leader Engineer Officer, it comprises a Plans Flight, a Current Operations Flight, and the C4I Gateway which supports UK operations and is a core part of the A6 Hub. Operations Squadron is the principal POC for the Unit’s operational output and the anchor point for all 90 SU deployments worldwide. It is the ‘front door’ into and out of the Unit, responsible for liaison with higher commands and external agencies.
Operational Evaluation and Conversion (OEC) Sqn consists of Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), Rapid Application and Integration Development (RAID) Unit, Information Exploitation Team (IX Team), and the Quality and Continuous Improvement Team (QCIT). The Squadron is commanded by a Sqn Ldr Engineer and provides specialist technical and IX expertise support to the rest of the Unit on any fielded equipment, Air Information Services (IS) application or IX issues and will ensure that specialist system and pre-deployment training is available to all members of 90 SU.
Engineering Support Squadron (ESS) consists of Engineering Support Flight (ESF), the Availability Managers (AM) and Aerial Flight (AEF). ESS is commanded by a Sqn Ldr Engineer and is responsible for all engineering capability and availability, including Information Management and Ground Radio. ESS also provides personnel to deploy in support of Force Elements to meet Operational and Exercise tasking.
The role of 5 (IS) Sqn is to manage and maintain the DII Convergent (Secret) Distributed System (DII/C(S) Dist). This is the RAF’s prime deployable UKEO IS capability and is the key enabler of Air Sector C2. DII/C(S) Dist delivers services to over 15000 operational users at over 30 locations worldwide. As well as maintaining a number of permanent installations at MOBs, 5 (IS) Sqn also hold deployable servers and ancillaries that can be surged in support of deployed operations within 48 hours.
Nos 1, 2, 3 & 4 Field Communications (FC) Sqns provide a range of Information Infrastruture, Air C2 and other Information Systems, and Information Management services in order to ensure information gets to the right individual to exploit the information.
