The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sir Rich Knighton, visited RAF and Army personnel at MOD Lyneham.
The visit showcased the Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT) as a tri-Service training provider, and demonstrated the collaborative strengths and benefits found in training Royal Navy, British Army, and RAF specialists alongside each other.
ACM Knighton was given a tour of Lyneham-based DCTT schools, including with No.4 School of Technical Training (4SofTT), which provides RAF Trade Group 5 Initial Trade Training and subsequent professional trade training across its ground engineering disciplines.
He was delighted to see that, following a move from MOD St Athan in 2024, 4SofTT’s training had restarted successfully in its new home and work was well underway with new technical facilities, which will benefit all DCTT training schools on site.
ACM Knighton was then introduced to staff and trainees from DCTT’s REME Arms School and 8 Training Battalion REME, who are responsible for delivering technical leadership training and preparing Army electro-mechanical engineers for front line equipment support roles. ACM Knighton also visited the School of Army Aeronautical Engineering, where Army aircraft and avionics technicians are trained.
The visit concluded with ACM Knighton presenting Honours and Awards.
"I had great pleasure meeting the staff and trainees from the Defence College of Technical Training at MOD Lyneham and I’d like to thank the whole team for their commitment and leadership in delivering first class training.
DCTT equips 16,000 trainees each year from the Royal Navy, Army, and RAF with the engineering and technical skills they need to support UK Defence. Training alongside each other creates synergies and opportunities for innovation and sharing of resources - an important part in our Defence Reform for a stronger Defence."
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton
Chief of the Air Staff
"It has been a privilege to host the Chief of the Air Staff at the DCTT and to have the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the dedication and achievements of our personnel.
The DCTT is in a period of unprecedented growth across our Aeronautical, Electro-Mechanical and CIS faculties. More than ever, Defence needs technically skilled individuals to operate and sustain lethal capabilities across all domains. New skills, developing technology and an evolving operational context invites greater levels of collaboration across our teams, and with Academia and Industry. We are fighting harder to explore and exploit the many areas of mutual interest and resources, so as to enrich our trainee and workforce experience and to deliver better trained engineers and technicians, faster to the Front Line."
Brigadier Caroline Woodbridge-Lewin
Commandant Defence College of Technical Training
