An integral part of 901 EAW, Visiting Aircraft Support Section (VASS) is responsible for the for the ground handling of all UK aircraft transiting through in support of Operations HERRICK and TELIC.

The Section consists of 6 personnel and is commanded by a SNCO, all the personnel are of aircraft technical trades. They handle over 30 aircraft movements a week. VASS is keep extremely busy, working a varied shift pattern covering movements day and night 7 days a week, in the extreme temperatures experienced during the summertime in the Middle East.

Dealing with various types of aircraft, ranging from the small HS125 to the wide bodied passenger and freight aircraft, each type has its own varied and unique needs. No two days are the same.

The ‘bread and butter’ of the work is seeing in the DC-10 charter aircraft flying in from RAF Brize Norton several times during the week, delivering personnel to theatre, to be quickly turned round to return to UK to take personnel home at the end of their tour or to begin their R & R.

The Section also handles all the C17 and Hercules C-130 transport aircraft who are supplying equipment as well as overseeing the onwards travel of personnel to further destinations in the Middle East or Afghanistan.

The SNCO IC VASS, Sergeant Steve Gould explains “We do have a few out of the ordinary arrivals too like the Antanov transport aircraft, which, when marshalling is like handling the QE2 on land, it’s enormous! Once chocked and the door opens its amazing to see inside, more than big enough to play football in.”

The team also handles many of the VIP flights of HS125s and BAE146s who ferry many varied ranks and personnel around the Middle East as part of their Communications task.

The members of VASS enjoy their varied work which provides them with new challenges everyday, that they might not ordinarily face back at home. “The teamwork and camaraderie is what makes the job enjoyable.” says Sergeant Gould.

Image 1:  Movements Personnel Carefully Load A C-130 Hercules.

Image 2:  ‘Armourers’ Prepare Weapons In Explosive Storage Area.