At the kind invitation of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots I attended their annual Sir Frederick Tymms lecture held in the RAF Club on Piccadilly. We were welcomed by the Master, Captain Colin Cox who introduced the main speaker, Wing Commander Mark Jackson, Officer Commanding XIII Squadron.
If the assembled audience were expecting a lecture on the thrills of flying a fast, fixed wing aircraft either prop or jet propelled, they (like me) were in for a surprise. For Wing Commander Jackson and his team fly Reaper MQ-9’s (see picture) in enemy action over Syria. And they do this from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, one of the RAF’s busiest Stations as the hub of UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance and the main operating base for airborne intelligence aircraft and systems. Quite a change from the traditional RAF image.
What followed was a most fascinating and thought-provoking overview of the RAF’s capability over enemy territory as it plays its part in the Coalition’s pursuit of ISIS in Syria and Iraq. What these aircrew do is the real thing, not some NATO military exercise. And most of it goes unseen or unreported.
The Reaper is an unmanned “drone” armed with four Hellfire missiles and two 500kg bombs plus the very latest surveillance equipment and are based in Kuwait. Wing Commander Jackson described how he flies the plane remotely from the UK in a fully operational ‘cockpit’ with pilot, co-pilot and systems expert ‘on-board’. Their world is one of computer screens and head-up displays, but no windows which can take some getting used to (see picture). The aircraft is controlled via a hard link from the USA to RAF Waddington and on to a satellite link to the aircraft. Any instruction given has but a two second delay, a most remarkable technological achievement. He explained that he had himself that morning spent two and a half hours over Syria gaining valuable intelligence for the Coalition.
It is a whole different world and the audience were enthralled – the changing face of combat indeed. Once again it underscored the Wests’ reliance on our Armed Services to keep us safe whether it is ‘boots on the ground’ troops or ‘eye in the sky’ surveillance such as this. They all play their part.
After a short note of thanks, a drinks reception was provided and so excellent interaction between Masters ensued. Thank you to the Air Pilots for organising such a stimulating evening and we wish every success to Wing Commander Jackson and his crews.
No comments:
Post a Comment