Page 104 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
continuation training of those units already qualified and pre- paring to deploy on operations. In this capacity, 100 Squadron is the only Royal Air Force unit equipped to deliver live, unguided air-ground weaponry, which remains the foundation stone for all air-ground profiles. In this capacity, the Squadron has supported numerous Exercises ranging from Morayshire in Scotland to Herefordshire, Norfolk and West Cornwall throughout the year.
Support to Maritime Forces has also included Close Air Support for 3 Commando Brigade but has focused primarily on the Joint Warrior series of Exercises, which coordinate Land, Maritime and Air assets of multi-national Forces in combined operations across Scotland, northern England and the sea areas surrounding the UK.
As ever, the Squadron’s routine operational support empha- sis has been provision to both the Typhoon Force and the F35 Lightning sqns. In this capacity, 100 Squadron provides on a daily basis an adversary Force, known as RED AIR, in order to train, evaluate and test the frontline squadrons and Opera- tional Conversion Units. Such sorties range from relatively sim- ple, scripted profiles involving only 4 or 6 aircraft, through to large scale, complex Ex scenarios such as COBRA WARRIOR Such missions routinely involve upward of 30 aircraft from UK, NATO and partner nations in scenarios ranging from NATO Article 5 conflict to more diverse expeditionary operations in which 100 Squadron simulate aircraft and weapon delivery ca- pabilities of an array of potential adversaries.
Out with its routine support to Typhoon and F35, the Squadron has also supported a number of other UK-based events, ranging from the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford to the an- nual Air Combat Power Visit at RAF Waddington. The latter Ex allows the Royal Air Force to showcase is capabilities from the ground, whilst 100 Squadron provides a unique opportunity for a small number of overseas military VIPs to experience at first hand a representative fast Jet sortie, including Air, Land and Maritime support elements.
Our overseas training schedule has been equally demanding. The Squadron was tasked to provide 2 aircraft and 4 pilots to support the European Fighter Weapons Instructor’s course at Leeuwarden airbase in the Netherlands. This Ex was followed 2 months later by the European Helicopter Tactics Instructor’s Course in Sweden, a 2 week Ex for which 100 Squadron pro- vides fighter affiliation for the multi-national helicopter course. Entente Cordiale with our French counterparts, meanwhile, was once again reinforced with 2 Exercises. The first, a multi- national Fighter Meet at Orange airbase, involved 2 aircraft and 4 pilots, whilst the second, Ex PYLA PIRATE saw the entire Squadron deploy to Cazaux airbase for 2 weeks to participate alongside 3/08 Cote d’Azur, the French Aggressor squadron, in multi-national Combined Air Operation sorties.
22 October 2019 was also a time when 100 squadron reflected on the loss of 2 of its former members, Squadron Leader Mike Andrews and Flt Lt Steve Todd, who had died on the same date exactly 20 years earlier when their Hawk crashed in Cumbria during a low-level evasion sortie. Whilst acting as an aggressor aircraft, their aircraft crashed on the outskirts of the village of Shap, killing both crew members. Despite damage to buildings and a vehicle, however, miraculously nobody on the ground was killed or seriously injured. Twenty years on, 100 Squadron once again overflew the village but this time to pay tribute to the 2 lives lost. On the ground, personnel from 100 Squadron stood alongside members of the community and the local air ca- det squadrons. At precisely 1313 hours, the time of the crash, a single Hawk overflew the Memorial, accompanied by ‘The Last Post’ whilst Wing Commander Nick Badel, Officer Command- ing 100 Squadron, laid a wreath on behalf of the Squadron.
2019 was truly a busy year for 100 Squadron, during which it has once again acquitted itself well in its engagement and operational support both at home and overseas. As the decade draws to a close, its personnel can reflect on continued excellence in the delivery of a panoply of tasks and in a role which, despite the age of the platform, continues to expand to support the delivery of Air Power.
Uppingham School Combined Cadet Force
Following the decision to become a voluntary CCF the num- ber of cadets in the Contingent has steadily increased; the Army section now numbers 145. All cadets who volunteer agree
to serve for three years. This makes the planning of the training programmes very much easier to implement.
Cadets attended Beckingham Central Camp during the last week of June 2019 which included a standard revision package, followed by a three-day rotation of ranges, field craft, and ad- venturous training. The week concluded with a night exercise which completed the advance fieldcraft syllabus. The camp was adjudged a great success and enjoyed by all the cadets who at- tended. Annual camp 2020 will be, once again, at Beckingham
Uppingham cadets taking off for their first flight