II (AC) Squadron - Operations
Air Operations maintain a full flight planning facility for the aircrew to utilise pre and post flight. Royal Flights, danger area activities and general NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) information such as gliding competitions, horse races or hang gliding from specific sites are prominently displayed, so the aircrew can plan around and where applicable avoid them. The UK is split into different low flying areas which the aircrew use to ensure they maintain their skills for operational theatres. The Operations staff are responsible for booking the crews into the system so that their routes can be coordinated with other aircraft types and stations through the Low Flying Cell. Operations staff also liaise with the engineers and the Duty Authorising Officer to ensure that the daily flying programme runs as smoothly as possible. Where changes are required, the operations staff are responsible for keeping all on and off station agencies, such as the weapon ranges and air traffic control, informed and co-ordinated as necessary. The operations role is carried out at the home base, on exercise and in operational theatres, requiring the Operations staff to deploy to wherever the Squadron is flying from.