Welsh Royal Air Force Reservists have again been supporting operations here at RAF Brize Norton during their annual continuous training.
The reservists, who make up No. 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron, based in Cardiff, come from a broad range of civilian backgrounds, serving in a variety of RAF professions.
The work and output achieved by the Squadron while at RAF Brize Norton included handling passenger security processing for flights, maintaining vital ground support equipment, giving intelligence briefings to aircrew and supporting the Media and Communications team.
During their two-week stay they also welcomed the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and a senior member of the Welsh Parliament to the Station to see 614 Squadron’s work supporting air operations.
The Rt Hon Councillor Adrian Robson and James Evans MS - chair of the Parliament’s Armed Forces Cadets Cross Party Group - alongside Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods, the Squadron’s Honorary Air Commodore, Sujatha Thaladi, Inspector of the RAuxAF, Group Captain Andy Calame and employers, met the part-time Aviators taking time away from their civilian jobs to support the Air Mobility Force. The visit included a capability briefing by 99 Squadron and a tour of a Boeing C-17 Globemaster aircraft.
Group Captain Louise Henton said:
"It was wonderful to host 614 Squadron for their second annual continuous training at Brize Norton. I’m really grateful for the fantastic support our General Service Support Squadron has given to the Air Mobility Force here over the past two weeks. Their RAF Police, Intelligence Analysts, General Technicians and more have done incredibly valuable work here. I was really happy to present a Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and an Air Officer Commanding 2 Group commendations, and a Bar to a Volunteer Reserve Service Medal to three members of the Squadron. The work and commitment they displayed in achieving these awards typifies the approach of the whole Squadron and I look forward to welcoming them back in the future as they continue to support air operations here at Brize Norton."
Group Captain Louise Henton
Officer Commanding 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron, Wing Commander Lee Matthews said:
"It’s been great to be at Brize Norton again and we’re grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received from across the Air Wing and Base Support Wing here. Our Reservists have integrated seamlessly into supporting the Station and it’s fantastic to see the valuable contribution our squadron is making supporting the Air Mobility Force.”
Wing Commander Lee Matthews
Officer Commanding 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron
Number 614 Squadron is Wales' only Royal Auxiliary Air Force unit and it has been an integral part of RAF Brize Norton since 2023. The Squadron has a wide-range of part-time vacancies that are open to those leaving the RAF and to direct entrants. Search for ‘RAF Reserves’ online or email [email protected] to find out more. They are also on Facebook as ‘614 County of Glamorgan Squadron’.
