Weapons technicians, more commonly known as armourers, probably have one of the most diverse and vital roles in the Royal Air Force. From looking after pistols and ammunition to building and fitting 2000lb laser-guided bombs to aircraft, we are also responsible for the more defensive and potentially life saving equipment such as ejection seats and aircraft countermeasures. Bomb disposal is another role for the armourer and there’s plenty more besides, too many to mention here. Basically, if it’s anything to do with weapons or explosives, you can guarantee that there are armourers responsible. It has been said that without armourers, the RAF would simply be another airline. Or to put it another way, we are instrumental in putting the ‘Force’ into the Royal Air Force.

I am Cpl George Farmer and just completing a four month operational deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan as part of 904 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) on Operation HERRICK. Part of a small but perfectly formed seven-man team, our primary duty is maintaining the aircraft countermeasures, commonly known as flares, for several squadrons and aircraft types.

We currently work with Hercules, Harrier, Chinook and Sea King aircraft that all use these flares in their various types and configurations. These very powerful and advanced pyrotechnics are responsible for ‘confusing’ heat-seeking missiles in the event of an enemy attack, normally from surface-to-air missiles (SAM). Rather than the missile hitting an engine, it will hopefully aim for the flare and miss the aircraft. The flares can be triggered manually or automatically and they boost the survivability rate of the aircraft by a significant margin, giving the aircrew and any passengers onboard an increased sense of security.

Each flare has a limited life so tracking their flying and storage hours is essential to maintain their serviceability. Of course, once the flares have fired, or they have reached their life expiry date, they require replenishing in a dedicated explosive preparation building under the strictest of conditions. For instance, we cannot prepare new flares if the humidity is too low due to potentially lethal electrostatic build-up that may initiate the pyrotechnic explosives. This flare preparation is done on a daily basis with a perhaps a surprising quantity of flares either being fired, or require replacing due to their life-expiry. On my first night shift in Kandahar we prepared over five hundred new flares. “Welcome to Kandahar, George!” said my fellow flare team mate with a heavy sense of irony. In at the deep end is the best way to learn though, in my experience.

Between the seven of us on rotating 12 hour day and night shifts, we work 24 hours, 7 days a week to ensure every aircraft under our area responsibility have a full accompaniment of flare ready for use every day. As part of the C-130 Hercules Detachment we are also responsible for not only maintaining and preparing the flares, but also for the loading, unloading and testing of the flares on these aircraft. This is one of highlights for me personally, as I my eight year career so far, I have little experience of working on the aircraft directly.

Not just Flares either…

As well as aircraft flares, we also look after the Small Arms Armoury for 904 EAW. Every day in the blazing sunshine, for a set period, we issue and receive rifles, pistols and ammunition to and from all 904 EAW personnel, as required. I actually enjoy this part of the day, as it gives us the chance to liaise with the full-spectrum of ranks and trades from across 904 EAW. Whether personnel require their weapons for a range shoot, or they are out on operations elsewhere, they can rely on service with a smile from the armourers, despite the oppressive heat from the sweat box that is the armoury!

Recently we have also taken on the role of the Tristar Visiting Aircraft Section (VAS) team. Almost on a daily basis, the Tristar arrives with new in-theatre personnel, either newly deployed from home units or returning from well-deserved rest and recuperation (R&R). We meet the aircraft with a refuelling rig and determine whether any more assistance is required from the Aircraft Ground Engineer. It is another enjoyable aspect to our duties out here as we are also privileged to up to date flight times for colleagues that are arriving in theatre.

All this sounds like hard work, doesn’t it?! Well, it is, but it’s rewarding and keeping so busy seems to help the time to pass relatively quickly. For the many servicemen and women who, like me, are missing their nearest and dearest (I have a wife and two young daughters) keeping so active helps to distract us from the homesick feeling that can often occur when separated from our family.

As my first true operational deployment, I have a new insight into my role with the RAF. As vital cogs in a well-oiled machine, I can experience first-hand the positive influence we, as armourers, have on operational effectiveness. Thriving under the increased, but bearable amounts of stress, our performance is maximised and the rewards are there to be seen everyday by witnessing our incredibly hardworking aircraft and personnel performing their missions successfully, time after time without failure.

Finally, it is well worth mentioning that the facilities out here are very good. Air-conditioned accommodation, three excellent messes with a surprisingly large selection of food, a good gym, superb Internet and telephone facilities and post generally takes only seven to ten days to send and receive. There is even a Pizza Hut and Tim Horton’s Coffee Shop. And by all accounts Kandahar is getting bigger and better – so watch this space…

Photographer: RAF

Header image: (Larger size) Hercules

Image 1: ( Larger size) Cpl George Farmer fitting flares

Image 2: ( Larger size) pl George Farmer under a Hercules