No 501 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force

501 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, is part of No 4 Force Protection Wing and provides a reserve of trained combat available manpower to support the RAF's Force Protection Force on operations worldwide.

The Squadron is manned by RAF Regiment Reserve Gunners who train on one weekend each month and for a two week period each year. Training as a reserve Gunner is varied and challenging - you could be live firing your weapons on a range, learning unarmed combat in the gym, abseilling from helicopters or learning survival skills - no two weekends with us will be the same and they certainly won't be dull.

During your two week consolidated training period each year you might find yourself on exercise with your regular counterparts either in the UK or overseas or on a specialist course.

History and Heritage

Our Squadron was formed in 1929, making us one of the oldest and most distinguished units in the RAF Reserves. During the Second World War, we won serval battle honours flying fighter aircraft. After being disbanded in the 1950s, we were reformed in 2001 as a force protection squadron. Our Squadron has a long and rich history of which we are rightly proud and our achievements were recognised in 2006 when we were granted the Freedom of the County of Gloucestershire, making us the first and only squadron to be awarded such an honour.

Our Role

Because of our Force Protection Role, our squadron is manned by RAF Regiment Reserve Gunners whose job is to reinforce the regular RAF Regiment squadron we are twinned with.

RAF Regiment Squadrons are highly mobile, heavily armed infantry units. They are extremely versatile and are able to counter the whole range of ground-based threats to RAF bases.

Gunners are the ground fighting troops of the RAF and as a Reserve Gunner you will have to master a range of skills, which include infantry tactics, convert observation, target acquisition and close combat skills. Gunners also receive specialist weapons training and you will become an expert at handling everything from a bayonet to an anti-tank missile.

The RAF Regiment also has an impressive array of state-of-the-art surveillance systems, designed to aid the detection of the enemy so Gunners can move quickly on foot, by helicopter or using a range of heavily-armed-all-terrain vehicles to intercept and defeat him.

As a Reserve Gunner you must be ready to serve anywhere in the world. Combat training is physically and mentally demanding and can take place anywhere from the jungle to the arctic. It's not a job for the faint-hearted - Gunners need to be fit, active and prepared to endure difficult and demanding situations.

For reasons of operational effectiveness the Gunner trade is only open to male applicants.

Applicants should enjoy playing sport or keeping fit, working outdoors, being part of a team and be able to swim at least 100 metres.

Recent Deployments

In 2003 our entire squadron was deployed as part of Operation Telic, the liberation of Iraq and we continued to deploy personnel to reinforce regular RAF Regiment Squadrons who provided Force Protection for the coalition operating base at Basra until the end of 2007.

Since 2006 our Gunners have deployed as part of regular RAF Regiment Squadrons charged with protecting Kandahar Airbase in southern Afghanistan and more recently Camp Bastion, as well as undertaking specialist duties in Kabul.

Recruiting

If your looking for an exciting, challenging and fulfilling way to spend your spare time, making new friends, learning new skills, getting fitter and having the opportunity to do and see things you never would get in civillian life then the RAF Reserves could be for you.

Pay and Allowances

Reservists receive pay and allowances for attendance at training. Rates of pay are dependant on rank and are similar to regular rates. A motor mileage allowance is paid for journeys up to 50 miles each way. In addition there is an annual tax-free bounty payment, which increases with each qualifying year served. Further details are available on request.

Commitment

The Squadrons reservists are required to attend training for a minimum of 27 days a year. Two weeks (15 days) of this are done as continuous training, either as a course or exercise in the UK or overseas. The remaining 12 days can be made up of training weekends. Reservists are liable for call-out for full-time service under the terms and conditions of the Reserve Forces Act 1996. Visit http://www.sabre.mod.uk/ for more details on reservist terms and conditions of service.

Eligibility

Applicants should be aged between 18 and 50, be a British, Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland citizen at the time of application and must have resided in the UK for 5 years immediately prior to applying. Other conditions apply, enquire for details.

Application Process

If you wish to apply you should contact the squadron recruiting staff, who will arrange for you to attend a recruiting presentation day and aptitude test. You will then undergo a selection interview and an occupational health assessment. If you pass these, you will then be given a date to start training.

To find out more or to apply:

Call: 01993 897718

E-mail: 501AUX-RecFS@mod.uk

Or apply online at: www.raf.mod.uk/rafreserves