The Royal Auxiliary Air Force’s motto is ‘Comitamur ad astra’, ‘We go with them to the stars’. This explains the role of 612 Squadron in support of our RAF colleagues.

Background

The Squadron was formed at RAF Leuchars in 1997, and its role is to provide field surgical support to the Armed Forces in times of conflict or war, and to provide surgical support to civilian populations in the event of a major disaster anywhere in the world.

A relatively new Squadron in RAF terms, 612 Squadron has already proven its worth as a vital part of the RAF. In 2001, the Squadron's first operational role was in support of Operation Saif Sarea in Oman. This was one of the largest peacetime deployments of British forces in a desert environment since the First World War. During the exercise, over 100 military personnel were treated, mostly suffering from heat-related injuries.

The Squadron has continued to support the RAF in training exercises, setting up the deployed operating base medical centre to receive mock casualties. This brings a real air of reality to the exercise scenario.

In 2003, the Squadron was mobilised for real for the first time in support of Operation Telic. Squadron members were deployed to Kuwait, Cyprus and finally to work with all three Services at a field hospital in Iraq.

In 2006, the Squadron was mobilised again to support operations in Iraq. This time they were deployed to the field hospital at Shaibah. Happily, all have now returned to their normal NHS and private sector work, having gained valuable military and medical experience in the challenging and demanding area of military operations.

Core deliverables

Under the functional control of Headquarters Tactical Medical Wing (HQ TMW), 612 Squadron can provide both Role 1 (Basic) and Role 2 (Enhanced) Medical Treatment Facilities to support both the Armed Forces in times of conflict or war and the civilian population in times of major disasters.

The unit is established to provide the following medical capabilities:

Role 1 (Basic) Medical Treatment Facility

a) Basic occupational and preventative medical advice to the chain of command.

b) Routine ‘sick call’, and the management of minor sick and injured personnel for immediate return to duty.

c) Casualty collection from the point of wounding and preparation of casualties to travel to the next Medical Treatment Facility.

d) Primary dental care.

e) Additional capability may include:

• minimal patient-holding capability;
• basic laboratory testing; and
• initial stress management.

Role 2 (Enhanced) Medical Treatment Facility

a) All Role 1 capabilities.

b) Consultant-led resuscitation, with the elements required to support it.

c) Routinely damage control surgery, with post-operative care.

d) Field laboratory.

e) Basic imaging.

f) Reception, regulation and evacuation of patients.

g) Limited holding capacity.

h) Primary surgery.

i) Surgical and medical Intensive Therapy Unit capability.

j) Beds with nursing support.

k) Enhanced field laboratory, including blood provision.

l) Casualty decontamination facilities (dependent on operational risk assessment).

m) Additional capability may include:

• preventative medicine and environmental health capability;
• psychiatry;
• tele-medicine; and
• evacuation co-ordination.

The Squadron is currently recruiting to fill the following posts

• Surgeons (general and orthopaedic, although all specialities will be considered)

• Anaesthetists

• Physicians

• General Practitioners

• Dentists

• Physiotherapists

• Medical Support Officers

• Registered Nurses (Adult)

• Registered Nurses (Mental Health)

• Dental Nurses

• Biomedical Scientists

• Operating Department Practitioners

• Radiographers

• Pharmacy Technicians

• Environmental Health Technicians

• Paramedics

• RAF Medics

Peacetime/training requirements

The Squadron provides 12 training weekends per calendar year (one per month), and recruits are expected to attend a minimum of six of these weekends (i.e. 12 days) (this is known as ‘Non-Continuous Training (NCT)’). In addition, recruits are expected to attend one period of 15 days’ Annual Continuous Training (ACT). ACT is fulfilled by attending one or more of the professional military/clinical courses listed below.

Core military courses

Officers

Basic Recruit Course

Reserve Officer Initial Training

Initial Medical and Nursing Officer Course

Other ranks

Basic Recruit Course

Medical Trade Group Basic Course

Junior Management Leadership Course

Intermediate Management Leadership Course