31 Squadron Initial Readiness Training

This summer RAF Marham’s Squadrons will once again deploy to Afghanistan in order to support UK and coalition troops as part of Operation HERRICK. General Bernard Law Montgomery said in 1943 that, “If you can knit up the powers of the Army on land and the Air in the sky then nothing will stand against you and you will never lose a battle." That saying still stands true today and part of the process means that aside from their performing in their primary role as aircrew, the pilots and navigators must also learn and develop their skills from a ground perspective. As a first step in achieving a understanding of that ground perspective, the aircrew of 31 Squadron recently conducted the first part of their work-up training at RAF Marham, in the form of Initial Readiness Training (IRT), which comprised a number of structured lessons, briefs, practical tests and theory discussions over a two day period.

The training started with the 3 Force Protection Wing, RAF Regiment, briefing on the theory of mines and mine extraction. The Force Protection Wing personnel, who are experts in land skills such as weapons and first aid, are responsible for instructing Royal Air Force personnel in these capabilities, as well as protecting the airfield projecting ground presence around its perimeter, both at home and on operations.

Mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) are currently the main threats to the coalition troops on the ground in Afghanistan. One of the Tornado’s responsibilities is to conduct ‘Counter IED’ tasks using the Reconnaissance Airborne Pod TORnado (RAPTOR) and the Litening III LASER designation and reconnaissance pod, to identify potential areas of interest. The practical session after the briefing consisted of a well instructed and comprehensive mine clearing and casualty evacuation exercise giving the aircrew an understanding of the magnitude of the threats that are faced, on a daily basis, by the forces on the ground whilst the Tornado is providing over-watch in the air above.

The next session focussed on weapons training culminating in a weapon handling test. For a number of aircrew this was the first time that they had handled a pistol having only just recently joined the Squadron after completing their training to fly in the Tornado GR4 aircraft. The aircrew train with this weapon because all personnel, regardless of branch, are required to be able to handle a weapon when deployed on Operations. The weapon handling test is necessary to satisfy the instructors of the Force Protection Wing that the aircrews can safely handle the weapon. After all the aircrew had mastered the pistol and passed the test, the group then moved on to the First Aid training. Following a first aid theory lecture the practical session commenced with the group practising the application of a tourniquet and other techniques for dealing with a variety of injuries. The focus was on dealing with major trauma, a skill vital to all personnel deployed on operations. The US Marine Corp say that they are Marines first, and specialists second. In a similar way, whilst deployed on the ground on operations the aircrew must be prepared to apply emergency first aid to their colleagues or others, before the focus on their specialist flying role.

The training finished with an identification session of the types of critters that might be encountered on operations, such as scorpions and sand spiders to name but a few, along with methods of dealing with these creatures.

One of the new members of 31 Squadron, undertaking this training for the first time, was Weapons Systems Officer Flight Lieutenant Rutherford, who said “IRT has been a valuable experience for all of us. It is important to begin the work up with the correct attitude and focus; that being our support to ground forces. It has allowed us to better understand the threat our troops face daily as we prepare for Op HERRICK and how we can utilise our aircraft to help. 31 Sqn is already a close team of people and training, together as a Sqn instils an operational focus, and has already began to build the extra rapport between us that will increase our ability to perform in a timely manner on operations.”

All the participants agreed that the IRT course is a vital part of the preparation for deployment to theatre; and the instruction given by the 3 Force Protection Wing was excellent. The potential for the troops on the ground to encounter mines is real, and for the aircrew it was a clear introduction into how that threat is dealt with, and the vital role that they themselves will play in Counter IED. Along with the challenging pistol training and First Aid refresher, this Initial Readiness Training ensures that the ground knowledge and skills of those about to deploy are met, and maintained to the highest standards.

Flt Lt Levi Birch – Media Communications Officer
01760 446092
07919 698321
MRM-BSWMCO@marham.raf.mod.uk

Mrs Alison Smith – Assistant Media Communications Officer
01760 337261 Ext 7332
07919 692362
MRM-BSWAMCO@marham.raf.mod.uk