502 (ULSTER) SQUADRON RAUXAF RECOUNT ANOTHER HIGH FLYING YEAR

It has been another busy year for 502 (Ulster) Squadron RAuxAF.  As the main Royal Air Force Unit in Northern Ireland, our profile has continued to grow strongly since our re-introduction to Northern Ireland in 2013.  We regularly have broad engagement across the Province, as well as across the wider Royal Air Force, with our personnel now providing regular utility to RAF Main Operating Bases (MoBs), and we have also had our first operational deployments.  To date we have deployed to Afghanistan (Kabul), The Falklands, several operational Air Transport (AT) Security Taskings, (e.g. mainland UK, Kenya and the US) and in early 2017, to Minhad in the UAE.

This effort has been recognised at the highest level, culminating in a recent visit by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF who congratulated 502 on the achievements we have made in such a short space of time.

Due to the hard work of our recruiting team, recruiting remains buoyant across all 14 Trades within the Squadron, which also has a Medical Flight in its establishment.  Graduations from Phase 2 Training include: Police, Intelligence Analysts, Flight Operations Assistants and Logistics.  For the Officer Branch, 6 officers have been successful at Officer Selection (OASC) with 2 graduating from Officer Training (ROIT) in Dec 2016 (GP and Dental). 4 more (2 Dental, 1 Police and 1 Media) will attend in Feb 2017.  We are currently recruiting another medical officer and some ex-regular officers and SNCOs which will greatly assist our fledgling Squadron to grow in experience.

By the end of 2016, 502 Sqn will have attested our (137th) Reservist and our HQ Staff continue to concentrate on engagement opportunities to raise our profile, to enhance recruiting and to maintain our fine reputation.  To date we have contributed to events across Northern Ireland, including Armed Forces Day, Newcastle and Portrush Air Shows, support to the Royal British Legion, and 16 separate Remembrance Services.  This year also saw the first 502 (Ulster) Sqn Medical Flight Clinical Conference and Study Weekend which was a great success, and was attended by military and civilian clinicians from across the UK.

The key training event in 2016 was a very productive 6-week Annual Continuous Training (ACT) at RAF Marham in Norfolk where our Reservists gained great experience from a variety of work experience placements.  This involved “on the job training” which facilitated them working directly alongside their RAF Counterparts, from all the different trades, allowing them to really experience what life is like on a busy RAF fast jet Station.  This opportunity is as a direct result of the relationship we have built with RAF Marham – we are now “twinned” with the Station.  This gives us a great opportunity to continue our training in an operational setting, and bodes well for the present and the future, as RAF Marham is the key home base leading on Op Shader in Syria and Iraq, and will also be the home base for the new F-35 Lightening II which becomes operational with 617 Squadron – the “Dambusters” in 2018.

High praise must go to RAF Marham’s Station Commander and staff for their support and coordination.  Our reservists acquitted themselves exceptionally well and feedback from their regular colleagues was extremely positive. RAF Marham actually provided examples of our reservists being able to complete a number of tasks which regular counterparts were unable to, due to the additional skills and experience Reservists bring from civilian life.  Both RAF Marham and 502 agree this is most certainly the way forward!

Outwith work – 2016 saw some wonderful AT, Sport and detachments to exciting places like the USA and Cyprus.  As with most military units, we believe in working hard and playing hard!  Our first all ranks dinner was held to celebrate the Sqn’s 91st anniversary in May, and we held our Battle of Britain (BofB) Families Day and Parade in September.  

In summary, this has been a fantastic year for 502 Sqn and we look forward with excitement to 2017.