RAF Wittering News

Concealment is the objective as No 2 Mechanical Transport (2MT) Squadron’s Drivers at RAF Wittering train to keep their military skills ready for operations.

2MT is the Royal Air Force’s road going, heavy lift capability. The Squadron has highly trained drivers and a range of vehicles to transport the specialist equipment needed for exercises and operations in the UK and abroad, and recently deployed to Estonia in support of the NATO Air Policing mission.

But RAF drivers are required to do far more than deliver equipment. They are qualified military personnel and must adapt to operate in potentially hostile environments and successfully avoid enemy detection.

RAF Wittering’s wooded training area was the perfect location for the training. 2MT’s drivers positioned a nine-tonne, cross country MAN truck and then used camouflage netting and other equipment to make it unrecognisable and undetectable.

Like all military training, one run through is not enough. Sergeant Dean McAulay has worked extensively with the Army and the Royal Air Force and is the Exercise Control Officer. He said: “It’s important to know that if we are going to deploy like this, we know we can do it right.”

2MT Squadron was formed at King’s College in Cambridge in 1940. Its original purpose was to move aircraft spares and equipment between RAF Stations during the Battle of Britain. Even then, the drivers needed to conceal their vehicles from attacking enemy aircraft.

Squadron Leader Mick Knights is Officer Commanding 2 MT. He said: “The Squadron needs to be prepared to operate in all environments and conditions.  Having a good knowledge of basic military fieldcraft is essential in achieving this, so 2 MT regularly practice these skills to ensure it remains deployment ready.”

He continued: “We are a very high readiness squadron, this means it is essential that we regularly hone our military skills. It’s all about maintaining an operational mindset.”