Organisation
Foreword by the Station Commander
Welcome to the RAF Brize Norton website. The Station is the largest in the Royal Air Force, employing in excess of 6000 Service personnel, 1100 contractors and 350 civilians. We are an extremely busy station and are constantly in the public eye. I hope that our activities, reflected in this website, offer you an enjoyable and informative browse.
RAF Brize Norton is the home of the RAF's strategic air transport (AT) and air-to-air refuelling (AAR) forces. The majority of the aircraft based here are capable of operating in both roles. The VC10s are flown by crews of No 101 Squadrons. VC10 C1K aircraft are all fitted with wing-mounted AAR pods and are capable of flying in the AT and AAR roles, whilst the dedicated tanker fleet of VC10 K3s and K4s are three-point tankers capable of refuelling large aircraft. No 216 Squadron operates the RAF's fleet of nine wide-bodied TriStars, six of which are dual-capable AT and AAR aircraft. The three remaining aircraft are 266-seat passenger transports. During 2001, the Station became the base for No 99 Squadron, which operates four C-17 aircraft in a strategic airlift role; the good news is that a fifth aircraft will be delivered in 2008. These aircraft provide an outsize airlift capability for the Joint Rapid Reaction Force. With its VC10, TriStar and C-17 fleets, RAF Brize Norton provides rapid global mobility and AAR flexibility - two fundamental elements of expeditionary Air Power that currently underpin both National and NATO defence strategies.
Our AT tasks include the operation of schedules to Cyprus and UK operational bases in the Arabian Gulf and in Afghanistan. In addition, we provide airlift for other UK operations overseas and numerous exercises. Our AAR tasks include the deployment of aircraft for operations and exercises, the provision of AAR support for Air Defence forces that provide UK Homeland Defence, and routine AAR training for UK and NATO air forces throughout Europe.
There are several other important units based here at RAF Brize Norton. No 1 Parachute Training School carries out parachute training for all three Services and the Station is also home to the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team. The Royal Auxiliary Air Force's Nos. 2624 Regiment, 4624 Movements, and 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons provide support for a range of RAF activities, both at home and overseas. We are also home to the Department of Community Mental Health and more recently Tactical Medical Wing. We provide administrative support for several other units including: The Defence Movements School, which provides movements training for all 3 services. Number 47 Air Dispatch Squadron, Royal Logistics Corp, operates from the Station in support of the Transport Support capability, in conjunction with C130 Hercules operations. Finally, RAF Brize Norton is the home of the Joint Air Delivery Test & Evaluation Unit, which is an independent Tri-Service trials organisation, commanded by an Army Lieutenant Colonel.
