Wing Commander Ed Horne has officially handed over the title of Officer Commanding Number LXX (70) Squadron to Wing Commander Lee Roberts.
Ed has completed two years on No. LXX Squadron and will now depart RAF Brize Norton for pastures new to MOD Main Building in London.
“It has been an interesting and exciting two years, we have been from Norway to New Zealand and everywhere in between, looking back there has been some real major highlights. We have deployed an aircraft to the Middle East and to the Falklands to take over the C130 Hercules, which was intended for the A400M and it has been great to be a part of that. I'm so proud of everybody that’s been able to contribute to those type of operations and none of that would be possible without the fantastic people I have worked with.”
Wing Commander Ed Horne
Outgoing Officer Commanding No. LXX Squadron
Number LXX Squadron originally formed in 1916, now operate the A400M Atlas, the newest aircraft to join the Air Mobility fleet. Entering the service in 2014, the aircraft has achieved remarkable capability milestones including aeromedical evacuation, natural surface operations and container delivery systems.
During this short time, the A400M has also been deployed for humanitarian relief efforts including Operation Ruman in the Caribbean in 2017 after hurricanes Irma and Maria struck. Just this month the A400M delivered 20 tonnes of lifesaving aid when cyclone Idai devastated Mozambique. In addition to this the Squadron today, is actively involved in Operations Shader and Toral.
Wing Commander Lee Roberts said: “I have been in the RAF for 21 years, and it is a dream come true to command a Squadron, and I am really happy to be joining LXX Squadron. The privilege of commanding a squadron of nearly 250 people, is very rewarding and I am looking forward to getting to know my personnel. I am very excited to get into the cockpit and get away with the crews and use the A400M for what it is designed for, the aircraft has done some great things already and will continue to do so in the future.”
Wing Commander Lee Roberts
Officer Commanding No. LXX Squadron
