Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff, visited 78 Squadron at Swanwick this week to meet personnel and gain firsthand insight into the Squadron’s critical role within Global Enablement and the wider RAF.
Embedded within the London Area Control Centre operated by NATS, 78 Squadron forms a key component of the Air Command and Control Force. The visit highlighted the close integration between military and civilian airspace operations, a hallmark of the Squadron’s critical role in maintaining aviation safety and effectiveness.
During the visit, Air Chief Marshal Knighton engaged with personnel from a wide array of specialist teams, including Air Traffic Management, Airspace Management, and Air Defence sections. He commended their professionalism, resilience, and close coordination with NATS in enabling the safe and efficient management of the UK’s busy and complex airspace.
"78 Squadron exemplifies the RAF's commitment to operational excellence and seamless joint working. Their partnership with NATS and their vital role across air traffic, airspace control, and air defence is foundational to the RAF's ability to project air power and respond globally. They are a crucial part of RAF Global Enablement, delivering 24/7 support to protect lives and maintain control of the skies.”
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton
The Squadron delivers a wide-ranging portfolio of capabilities:
Area Radar: Supports both military and civilian air traffic throughout UK airspace, with a controller on watch 24/7/365.
Northolt Radar: Working alongside Heathrow controllers to safely deconflict arrivals and departures from RAF Northolt.
Distress and Diversion (D&D) Cell: A nationally critical emergency centre, D&D are ready to assist aircraft in distress anywhere across the UK, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while also delivering essential operational support functions.
Military Airspace Management Cell: Manages the UK Low Flying System and oversees the segregation of large-scale airspace areas for military training, balancing national defence requirements with civil airspace needs.
Radar Analysis Cell: Works closely with the UK Airprox Board, Border Force, Air Accident Investigation Branch and other external agencies, supplying key radar data to investigate and learn from any air safety incidents.
Air Defence Resilience Entity: Provides crucial air defence support to No. 19 Squadron at RAF Boulmer, enhancing national air defence capabilities.
144 Signals Unit: Delivers core engineering and technical support to sustain and enhance operational output across all of the Air Command and Control Force’s static and deployable capabilities across the UK and beyond.
The Air Command and Control Force provides a critical contribution to UK Air Safety and the RAFs Global Readiness—ensuring that RAF aircraft can operate safely and efficiently wherever they are needed.
