XIII Squadron - The Engineers

Aircraft don't fix themselves. It takes a vast, concerted, round-the-clock effort to ensure these high-tech jets are fully airworthy and prepared to meet the flying task each day. With an establishment of 147 personnel, engineers make up over 75% of XIII Squadron's total manpower. Commonly referred to as 'Gingers' by the aircrew, a shortening of the cockney rhyming slang of Ginger Beers, a close working relationship and understanding between these two elements of the Squadron is vital to get the best out of the Tornado GR4/4A and ensure all goals are met.

But it's not just pilots and navigators that have nicknames for the groundcrew. Indeed, amongst the engineers themselves you are more likely to hear the terms 'Riggers', 'Sooties', Leckies, 'Fairies' and 'Plumbers' instead of the actual trade name of Airframes, Propulsion, Electricians, Avionics and Weapons technicians respectively.

The sheer complexity of the aircraft and its systems within have made it necessary to have these separate, specialist trades, although there is currently a programme for cross training so that the Electricians and Avionics tradesmen can undertake each others work, and similarly between the Airframes and Propulsion personnel.

Although there is never a typical day on a squadron, the day will usually be split into two shifts of around 70 people each. More often than not the day shift will cover flying waves and the night shift will rectify any problems that have arisen in order to meet the next day's flying programme. Each shift will be split into two groups. The 'Lineys' will perform the required servicing to the aircraft before and after each sortie, and will also carry out the see-off procedure to help get the aircraft airborne. This can be a thankless task, especially in extremes of weather found from the Middle East in summer to the freezing temperatures of Goose Bay in the winter; Lineys could be outside, exposed to the elements for hours at a time. The remainder of personnel on shift will be working in their relevant trade, diagnosing and rectifying faults that have either been reported by the aircrew or discovered by the groundcrew.

The immense speed, intense vibration and 'g' forces these aircraft pull take their toll on the airframe and equipment. Maintenance of the aircraft can either be carried out after the fault emerges or in a preventative manner, based upon either calendar or flying hour schedules. Co-ordinating this is the heart of the engineering set up, the Rectification Controller. It is his job to ensure any due maintenance is completed, liasing with the many support elements at RAF Marham, or even industry, to ensure spares and components are made available in a timely manner. Paperwork is a necessary evil, as the vast quantity of work carried out needs to be fully checked and co-ordinated before the aircraft can take to the air again - flight safety is a paramount issue.

The Squadron also relies on a small team of engineers who are not directly involved with preparing or repairing the aircraft. XIII Sqn have their own Training Cell that, in addition to training new Squadron members, regularly checks competencies and standards are being maintained by the remainder of the personnel.

Squadron life today remains as hectic as it has done for many a generation. Detachments, exercises and Operations are the stable diet of a 1st line engineer. In the past year, XIII Sqn have clocked up many miles on their travels. From a RAF Leuchars night exercise to Las Vegas. From Goose Bay, Canada and Nimes, France to a 2 month detachment Operation TELIC in Qatar. 2004 year finished with camping out in tents at RAF Marham followed by a fortnight at the Hilton hotel near RAF Leuchars. The 90th year of XIII Sqn will not see this pace relax. Already plans are for exercises to Nellis AFB twice, Belgium and an Operational Evaluation build up at RAF St Mawgan. This is all in addition to the annual Gulf deployment in October and November.

Whilst the locations can sometimes sound wonderful, pressure to achieve the demanding flying schedules and often long hours in all weather conditions can make detachments very demanding and tiring; but there's always enough energy left for a beer once off shift! It becomes a case of enjoy it whilst you can as there is no such thing as a weekend when the Squadron is away on detachment. Even on days with no flying, there is always rectification or maintenance required on the aircraft.

The teamwork, professionalism and great sense of humour of its personnel has helped give XIII Squadron an unrivalled reputation and made it the envy of others; long may that continue. This team spirit would not be possible without the vital support and understanding that is so forthcoming from families and partners; without it, both morale and efficiency would be severely affected.