Tpw?????????????????????

[blighty1]

Been ready this forum for a while now but have only decided to register, purely to comment on a few articles on the board.

My question/query is that I flew with a couple of lads from TPW the other month for the first time. I know they are RAFP ( Tactical Police Wing or something similar) but what do they do apart from have a goodtime downroute and get drunk on rates!!

Anyone?

[Sideshow Bob]

Provide security so us lazy aircrew types can sleep safely in our beds when we visit some of the less hospitable parts of the world

[BEagle]

Took ATSyPol (TacPlod) with us to Palermo a few years ago - and a good gang they were too. One poor lass thought the ac was being attacked in the middle of the night when she heard strange tapping noises - but it was just the static vent flags being blown around by the wind!

Of course there was never any real security problem at Palermo; HMFC used to put quite a few jets through there, so anyone queering that pitch would very soon find themselves becoming part of the foundations of some building or other in the land of Corleone!

[Scud-U-Like]

blighty1

Why didn't you ask them while you were flying with them? Or is your debut post on PPRune just a clumsy attempt to start an anti-RAFP bitching thread?

[Mr C Hinecap]

Not a copper, but this might help the 'long time listener, first time caller'....

Deployed air operations are likely to take place at the end of a long supply chain or line of communication. Control of this line of communication is a task which falls to the service military police organisations: the Royal Military Police and the Royal Air Force Police.

Tactical Provost Wing remains a component of Royal Air Force Provost and Security Services, an Independent Unit based at Royal Air Force Henlow in Bedfordshire. The Wing has its roots in Support Squadron of Royal Air Force Provost and Security Services which was formed in 1968 to provide a force reserve for the Provost Marshal to deploy in support of operations, exercises and other contingencies.

It was retitled Tactical Police and Security Squadron in 1996 as part of a increased focus on support to deployed operations.

The primary focus for the Squadron and latterly the Wing has been air transport security. This involves providing security support to the Royal Air Force air transport fleet worldwide through searches of passengers and cargo, the guarding of aircraft and cargoes, and the assessment of airfield security. In addition it continues to provide Royal Air Force Police personnel to undertake military policing and security tasks on both deployed operating bases and in the wider operational areas. There have been few Royal Air Force operations in the last 30 years which have not seen the deployment of Royal Air Force Police personnel.

Tactical Provost Wing's expanded role has been reflected in an expanded capability. The aim is to make the Wing truly self-sufficient and has thus seen the stablishment of vehicle mechanics, communications technicians and specialist training staff.


Always love to enlighten.
:p

[blighty1]

Scud-U-Like,

You've got me banged to rights, the only reason I started this thread was to start an anti RAFP thread:rolleyes:. Give me a little more credit than that please. The lads I flew with were great lads, the only reason I ask is because there was praticularly no need for them where we were in the world. I did sort of ask them what they did in a roundabout kind if way to which they replied 'we are here to look after the aircrew and the frame'. That got me wondering as to how they were going to 'guard' the aircraft when needed as they have no weapons - what would they use? A cheeky smile, certainly not in this day and age.

I'm sorry some people have misunderstood the context of this thread but it was just to ask as to what Tpw specialise in. If they are there to guard HM assets, why aren't they given the tools to do their job?

The other thing I would like to mention is that I am glad that they do what they do. It saves me standing there guarding the frame:ok:

[aes69]

TPW do not task themselves, the mighty desk warriors of Strike Command dictate how many policeman are tasked to each flight. Strike Command also dictate arming policies and standard of crew, passenger and frame security. If the lads from TPW are lucky, they have little or nothing to do. If they are extremely unlucky, they have to process & security clear (sometimes by hand) several hundred personnel AND guard the frame. A sleeping bag and butty box whilst the crew are bedded down in a good standard hotel is the best they can hope for, keep up the good work fella's!

[Dugster_at_TPW]

As you may have guessed by my user name, I am a member of the Tactical Provost Wing of the Royal Air Force Police. :ok:

Mr C Hinecap

Thank you for your explanation, that is the info that is mainly available in the public domain.

(Obviously not going to go into current ops :mad: ).

What we do!

LoCP - Lines of Communication Policing (as you described).

ATSy - Air Transport Security.

FP - Force Protection (Kabul & Iraq - nuff said!!!!).

CP - Close Protection (the bodyguard!!).

SPST - Service Police Search Team (we were involved at Soham).

GPD - General Police Duties, in support of RAF stn's and P&SS both in the UK and overseas.

NARO - (if you don't know you don't need to know!!)

Others I wouldn't even think about posting in a public forum ( and I'm not trying to big us up in any way shape or form!).

Blighty 1

I'm sorry some people have misunderstood the context of this thread but it was just to ask as to what Tpw specialise in. If they are there to guard HM assets, why aren't they given the tools to do their job?

A question we have asked so many time ourselves :(

Guarding the frame with a pair of size 10's and harsh language!

The other thing I would like to mention is that I am glad that they do what they do. It saves me standing there guarding the frame

Kindly remember that when you are p*ss*ng it up in your 5* hotel we are still on the frame! All we ask:

Leave us some water

Leave us some food

Herc Fleet - good at above

White Fleet - NOT!

It might seem that we are there for no apparent reason, it's not our fault, we just follow our tasking order! Why shouldn't we enjoy ourselves if the opportunity arises?

[The Rocket]

Good to see that you TPW boys aren't too full of your own self importance. How do we manage without you?:yuk:

[callsign Metman]

a bit of curiosity and a simple web search brought this up....

http://www.mod.uk/issues/laesi/section_b.htm

CM

[Swanny the scuffer]

The primary focus for the Squadron and latterly the Wing has been air transport security.

I wish, too much like deployed Ops of late.

And while we're ranting, Most aircrew let us stay in the kite. Some, however, lock up and like us to Gd from outside while we're sat in some ground power unit tractor or something. Let us sit inside for gods sake.

Oh and if we do Gd, if possible a well lit area would be nice as you turn all the power off. How many times have I had to read by torch light!! I can't understand why the loadies get all upset the following day when the fresh batteries in their torches are now flat:O