502 SQUADRON PRAISED FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

The fruits of re-establishing an RAF Reserve unit in Northern Ireland are beginning to be seen by the Air Force as 502 (Ulster) Squadron is now increasingly able to provide trained personnel for real time support.  Over the past year, the unit has provided an officer in the Force Protection specialism for operations in Iraq, flight operations specialists to support the Tornado Fleet, media operations experts for real time media needs and several 502 individuals in the RAF Police role.

The latter included 502’s Corporals Darren Taylor and Nigel MacKinnon who in recent weeks have been used twice to process troops going out of Northern Ireland on exercises on RAF C130 Hercules. Cpls Taylor and MacKinnon (pictured) handled a Royal Artillery Army Reserve unit going to Denmark , ensuring weapons protocols were followed,  checks were done on bags and individuals travelling and the aircraft remained secure.  The ability to supply such support meant a direct saving for the Service as it meant two GB based officers did not have to be flown over and accommodated in the Province.

Darren and Nigel said they very much enjoyed the challenge which was the first time Squadron personnel had been used in Air movements at Aldergrove. “It was very interesting work,” said Darren,” And the crew were delighted to see us again on the second time we got involved as things went so smoothly on the first occasion. It is great to get this kind of experience.”

The unit also provided one of a duo of RAF Reservists who were the first pair to hand over back to back flight operations shifts at RAF Marham in East Anglia. Marham is the home of the RAF’s bomber force and Senior Aircraftsman Evan Purvis from Northern Ireland and his colleague from 600 City of London Squadron were highly commended by regular staff on the base. Sgt Brompton from Operational Support Flight at Marham said of the guys; “They are a credit to their Squadrons and the RAF Reserve. They both face a test balancing careers and service as reservists. They added an extra dimension to the ops set up, being able to look at what we in the regular force do with a fresh set of eyes and bringing good practice from their civilian employers.”

Photo above shows RAF Reserve police Corporals Taylor and MacKinnon.