1.0     Airborne Delivery Wing

With regards to training the Airborne Delivery Wing (ADW) comprises the:

  • Safety Training, Assurance and Regulations (STAR) cell: the STAR cell is located within the main ADW Headquarters building at RAF Brize Norton and are responsible for the authorisation, maintenance and auditing of all policy and training documentation administered by the ADW. The STAR cell is also the focal point for all correspondence between No. 2 Group Air Command and ADW.
  • Parachute Training School: is composed of the following Flights:
    • Military Training Flight: is ADWs largest Flight and provides training and support to all three Services in Military Static Line and Free Fall parachuting. It is comprised of instructors with a myriad of competencies and wide ranging experience levels which provides a unique environment in which to not only train external agencies but nurture professional development amongst its instructors. In addition, it also conducts training for authorised foreign troops and provides training assistance to Exercises, both in the UK and abroad.
    • Continuation Training Flight: is an integral liaison and facilitator of parachute training for No. 16 Air Assault Brigade, organising and operating ab-initio training and continuation/refresher training through various Exercises both within the UK and abroad. Whilst the major part of the Continuation Training Flight is based within the Parachute Training School, at RAF Brize Norton, it has several key personnel embedded within the Unit at a detached location.
    • Instructor Training Flight: is populated by experienced and highly qualified Parachute Jumping Instructors who deliver initial and refresher parachute and Drop Zone Safety Officers training to personnel on the Parachute Jumping Instructor Course and those returning to parachuting duties following an extended absence from the ADW.
    • Parachute Jumping Instructors (PJI) Course: Selected RAF Officers from the Personnel Branch and RAF Physical Training Instructors from Trade Group 10 initially undertake a 3-week Basic Parachute Course completed by all airborne troops prior to becoming a qualified military parachutist. After completion of the Basic Parachute Course, PJIs under training progress to the Parachute Jumping Instructor Course where they consolidate their knowledge and experience of the Low Level Parachute. Subsequently, trainee PJIs will progress onto more advanced parachute training including the Static Line Square, BT380, BT80 Static Line parachutes and be exposed to free fall parachuting via the Lightweight Parachute System and BT80 Free Fall parachutes. The Basic Parachute Jumping Instructors Course is 6-months long and successful personnel are awarded the coveted Parachute Jumping Instructors Brevet.
  • Standards and Evaluation (Not under Direct Command of ADW): Warrant Officer Standards and Evaluation is responsible on behalf of No. 2 Group for ensuring all Parachute Jumping Instructor Despatchers on appropriately competent parachute types are operating within the rules and regulations as laid out in the Tactical Air Transport Manuals. In addition, he/she is responsible for the award, and removal where necessary, of all Parachute Jumping Instructor Flying Categorisations.

2.0     Mechanical Transport Training and Standards Flight

The Mechanical Transport Training and Standards Flight is a flight of the Airport of Embarkation Wing (APOE Wing). The Flight provides Mechanical Transport (MT) training for the 5500+ Station personnel, personnel deploying Out of Area (OOA) and those of Parented Units. The Flight is split into three sections:

  • Airfield Specialist Vehicles (STS): provides training on the vehicles that keep RAF Brize Norton airfield moving. This includes domestic water trucks, aircraft lavatory trucks, high-lift catering trucks, aircraft towing tractors, snow clearance and aircraft de-icing vehicles. This training is also provided to RAF Trade Group 6 Logistics (Driver) personnel deploying overseas from across the whole of the RAF.
  • Air Cargo Handling Equipment (ACHE): ensures that Logistics (Mover) personnel are sufficiently trained to operate the multitude of equipment they are required to use at home and in theatre. These include Rough Terrain Fork Lift trucks, large Counter Balance Fork Lift trucks and Atlas cargo handlers.
  • MT Training & Licensing (MT T&L): provide licences from a basic car licence (cat B) to MAN Service Vehicle (SV) off-road instruction, as well as ensuring that all MOD drivers at RAF Brize Norton and its Parented Units are operating vehicles legally and in accordance with regulations. MT T&L is also responsible for ensuring all road traffic accidents and incidents are reported and progressed off Station.

3.0     Documentaries

In November 2013 Sky 1 aired a 7-part documentary about RAF Brize Norton, called Inside RAF Brize Norton.

  • Episode 1: Critical Cargo (Access-all-areas documentary shedding light on the servicemen and women who work at the biggest and busiest military airbase in the UK).
  • Episode 2: Highs & Lows (Cadets feel the pressure when they undertake the gruelling fast rope course, and wannabe paratroopers make a daring jump in a bid to earn their wings).
  • Episode 3: Departure Lounge, Afghanistan (Emotions run high at Brize’s busy terminal when a returning soldier is reunited with his family. A young couple, meanwhile, is put to the test).
  • Episode 4: Prepping for the Frontline (Emergency crews step in when a Hercules’ landing gear fails. The UK reservists, meanwhile, throw themselves into parachute training).
  • Episode 5: 24/7 (An urgent medical evacuation flight takes off for Afghanistan, and the Officers’ Mess remembers the Battle of Britain, one of the most pivotal moments in history).
  • Episode 6: Events (Focus falls on the various national events that the military airbase has taken part in, from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony).
  • Episode 7: First Steps (Take one last look around Britain’s biggest airbase. Recruits prepare for deployment in Afghanistan and the emergency services complete a crash-landing exercise).

All seven episodes of Season One are currently available on:

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