Background

What was to become 7644 Squadron was the brainchild of Lord Beaverbrook in 1940. The Government of the time identified the need to keep the public informed about the war, giving the hard facts, but also introducing Servicemen and women telling their own stories. It was realised that the reporters covering the stories needed to be guided by people with dual expertise.

Lord Beaverbrook's idea was to find information experts with a Service background or interest and ask them to become officers in each of the Armed Forces. Almost everyone who was approached volunteered and so the first specialist public relations (PR) unit in the RAF Volunteer Reserves (RAFVR) was formed.

After the war, the RAF recognised the benefits of maintaining a small number of journalists in uniform. After being part of other units, these PR specialists became 7644 (VR) Public Relations Squadron RAuxAF when the RAFVR and the RAuxAF were amalgamated on 5 April 1997.

In recent years, squadron members have taken part in operations around the world. In the Gulf War, the Kosovo campaign, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and Operation Telic (the Iraq War), squadron officers have been deployed acting as advisers to senior officers as well as working in and running UK and multinational press information centres.

In peacetime, the squadron's 19 members work to provide extensive training and media relations support. 7644 Squadron RAF Reserves is proud to bring its unique set of skills in media operations to work alongside colleagues throughout the RAF and NATO.

Media operations

A prime role of 7644 Squadron is to support the RAF in media operations. The RAF has full-time officers serving in communications, notably at 7644 Squadron's headquarters unit, Media and Communication Group at RAF High Wycombe. 7644 Squadron personnel support these professionals whenever required.

Their role might be to organise a one-off media facility, or provide longer term support by standing in as a Media Communications Officer at an RAF station or helping run a media operations unit on a deployed operating base, as for example during the Iraq War.

Preparing material for the media

Using its journalists' skills, 7644 Squadron prepares a large number of news releases, 'home town stories' on serving personnel, and video and audio news releases for the media.

Often exercises and operations in the RAF happen at short notice, and in distant parts of the world. Organising a full press trip may not be possible or affordable, so 7644 Squadron can provide the personnel and equipment to gather material, which is then sent back to the media at home for them to use.

Media training

The RAF is keen to promote its image and develop its reputation for being open and honest. To achieve this, officers of all ranks need a range of media training and particularly interview training. This gives them the confidence to agree to interview requests from the media, and the ability to answer questions directly in a friendly manner, supported by appropriately trained specialist media staff.

7644 Squadron provides a range of media training. Squadron personnel are able to play the role of the media and answer questions on how or why they work in a particular way, from personal experience.

Simpress

In order to give RAF personnel a chance to experience contact with the media, 7644 Squadron officers act as 'simulated' press at exercises. Many 7644 Squadron officers are journalists or have worked in the media, and can provide an authentic and robust experience of what it's like to be a subject in front of the microphone or camera.

These can be small events, or major exercises involving hundreds of personnel over several days, of which the media and PR element will only be a small part. An important aspect is being fair but robust in questioning, and preparing individuals for what may be difficult encounters with reporters.

Other media and publications

Using the skills of 7644 Squadron, many units and events benefit from the production of individual pieces of work ranging from magazines and other publications, to video productions.

For example, at the 2003 NATO Reserves competition held in Edinburgh, the squadron spent the days with teams from countries across the world as they competed, and then produced an A4 colour souvenir magazine which was ready for each entrant by the time they finished their annual awards dinner. Additionally, the squadron produced a video about the event.