RAF Wittering News

Port Liaison Team Breaks Records In September

September broke records for the Port Liaison Team from 1 Expeditionary Logistics (EL) Squadron at Royal Air Force Wittering in Cambridgeshire.

From left to right, some members of the Port Liaison Team: Senior Aircraftman Aaron Veal, Senior Aircraftman Lauren Potter, Flight Sergeant Mark Evans, Sergeant Michael Luis, Sergeant Lee Markham.
From left to right, some members of the Port Liaison Team:  Senior Aircraftman Aaron Veal, Senior Aircraftman Lauren Potter, Flight Sergeant Mark Evans, Sergeant Michael Luis, Sergeant Lee Markham
Image By: SAC Jack Welson

The Port Liaison Team (PLT) sends specialist teams to ports around the world so that RAF equipment which is too big or heavy to be flown, can be transported by sea and pass through customs at foreign ports legally and quickly.

Port Liaison Team preparing cargo for transport.
Port Liaison Team preparing cargo for transport
Image By: SAC Jack Welson

During September, with only a small team at the ports to oversee the handling of cargo, the PLT moved nearly a thousand tonnes of military equipment to and from Europe, the Middle-East and Asia. It has been the busiest month in the team’s history.

Flight Sergeant Mark Evans is the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the PLT. He said: “We are the point of contact for the movement of RAF equipment by sea, which means that any unit that needs to move kit which is too big or too heavy to be transported by air can just pick up the phone to us.”

The Flight Sergeant continued: “To give you an idea, the sort of freight we move is the large equipment that needs to be in place before air operations and exercises begin, or sometimes bulk quantities of consumable supplies.”    

The PLT needs to arrive at the destination weeks ahead of schedule. Once deployed, they will work with the embassies and port authorities to make sure the freight can be unloaded and transported to the exercise or operation smoothly.  With the RAF engaged in 15 missions on 4 continents in 22 countries, it is little wonder the PLT is so busy.

Port Liaison Team preparing cargo for transport.
Port Liaison Team preparing cargo for transport
Image By: SAC Jack Welson

Squadron Leader Liz Wheatley, Officer Commanding 1 EL Squadron said: “They are a busy team and have a hugely diverse role. Our PLT is a developing capability within Defence, meeting the needs of today’s modern logistics operations.”

In recognition for their efforts, the team received a special commendation from Royal Air Force Deputy Commander Operations, Air Marshal Gerry Mayhew, which was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019. The PLT is so busy, however, nobody can say when they will all be in the UK at the same time to receive their award.

Group Captain Jo Lincoln is Station Commander at Royal Air Force Wittering and Commander of the RAF A4 (Logistics and Engineering) Force Elements. She said: “In modern air operations we use every logistics means at our disposal to make sure the RAF has what it needs. That means moving those essential supplies by land, sea and air.”

The Group Captain concluded: “The Port Liaison Team absolutely deserve their commendation. Moving military equipment from country to country is not always easy. You need a detailed knowledge of customs and diplomatic processes to make it happen smoothly, and that is what this team does so well.”

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