Page 88 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2017

86 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) 100 Squadron Royal Air Force
Given the close bond which has been fostered between The Roy- al Lancers and 100 Squadron, based at Royal Air Force Leeming since 2016, I am delighted to be able to contribute to the Regi- mental publication with a summary of 100 Squadron’s activity over the last 12 months.
2017 was a landmark year as 100 Squadron formally celebrat- ed its 100th Anniversary on 23rd February. The occasion was marked by a series of notable events. For the Anniversary it- self, Squadron personnel attended a Commemoration Service in St. Clement Danes church, London and a formal dinner in the Royal Air Force Club. The main celebration, however, took place on 18th March when the Squadron was honoured to wel- come Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall to an Open Day at Leeming, including a flypast for which Her Royal High- ness took the salute. The celebrations culminated with a Gala Dinner attended by more than 450 Squadron members, past and present, together with invited guests from The Royal Lancers. Royal Lancers’ personnel who had contributed to the event were subsequently each rewarded with a flight in a 100 Squadron Hawk. The proceeds from the evening generated almost £5000 for Service-related charities.
From an operational perspective, the tempo of flying in 2017 continued at a high pace with the reduction in flying hours co- inciding with an aircrew shortfall in the Squadron. The Squad- ron’s role remains extremely diverse, providing external support to Land, Maritime and Air elements both in the United King- dom and overseas.
The focus of our support to Land Forces continues to involve provision of Close Air Support training to facilitate initial quali- fication of Joint Tactical Air Controllers and their subsequent refresher training prior to operations. 2017 heralded a series of exercises which involved both simulated and live weapon deliveries, coordinated with live-fire from Land Forces. This saw the Squadron operating across the country from as far as northern Scotland to southern Cornwall. In terms of support to the Joint Helicopter Command, 100 Squadron has provided fast jet opposition to train helicopter crews of all three Services in preparation for operational commitments. Support to Maritime Forces focused on provision of Close Air Support to 29 Com- mando in their work up to deploying on Operation SHADER and participation in Exercise JOINT WARRIOR, a bi-annual major tri-Service exercise which coordinates Land, Maritime and Air assets of multi-national Forces in combined operations across Scotland, northern England and the sea areas surround- ing the United Kingdom. Whilst support to the other services presents excellent training opportunities for all, the Squadron’s primary focus in the United Kingdom remains the continued support to the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon Force. In this capac- ity, 100 Squadron can be expected, on a daily basis, to contrib- ute opposition forces, known as Red Air, to train, exercise and test the Royal Air Force frontline squadrons and its Operational Conversion Unit.
Overseas, the Squadron has been equally busy supporting a wide range of NATO bi-lateral and multi-national exercises. Whilst our contribution to such overseas training is of great operational
French Mirage on Exercise SERPENTEX