Page 112 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

IV(AC) Sqn
IV (AC) Sqn is based at RAF Valley on Anglesey and currently operates the Hawk
T2. The Sqn’s role is to ‘Train World Class Fighter Pilots’ for RAF and RN. There
are currently 9 Qualified Flying Instructors and we typically have 6 trainees at
any one time. The Tactics and Weapons course taught by IV Sqn takes about 4
months and includes all aspects of frontline operations from Beyond Visual Range
Air to Air Combat to Air to Surface roles such as Close Air Support. On successful
completion of the course graduates progress to fly either the Typhoon FGR4 or
the F-35 Lightning.
Aside from the Sqn’s primary role of training ab-initio pilots, this year we have
also supported frontline training. A first for the Sqn was fighting against the F-35
Lightning for Dissimilar Air Combat training and we also supported qualification
and currency Close Air Support training of Forward Air Controllers.
The Sqn is pivotal to the innovation for future flying training and are currently
involved with projects in augmented reality and improved VR.
RAF Valley, nestled between Rhosneigr and Trearddur Bay with the Snowdonia
Mountain Range a few miles east, offers many distractions throughout the year
with many of the Sqn’s Instructors to be found wing foiling or windsurfing – it is
a rush to get the sorties flown and on the water when the conditions are good.