View Full Version : RAF Support helicopter force air to air combat ref Air Warfare Centre
chopper2004
24th Jun 2008, 07:31
I seem to recall in the 1998 RAF Benevolent Fund Yearbook, there was an article about the Support Helicopter Force and the Air Warfare Center had a course on helicopter warfare tactics including air to air.
I recall there was a major practical to the course culminating in an exercise with Pumas, Chinooks, Wessex and Sea Kings versus 10O Sqn Hawk T.1 as aggressors. It was all about teaching a little of ACM and evasive tactics and gunnery.
The course leaders invited members of the 21st SOS from Mildenhall along for the get together.
What is the actual name of the helicopter warfare course held by the AWC and what does it entail?
Tiger16
24th Jun 2008, 07:37
Sounds like the Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructor course to me, except that's run by RWOETU at RAF Benson..
APPOEU
24th Jun 2008, 07:58
RWOETU is part of the AWC. Just happens to be located at Benson.
APPOEU
24th Jun 2008, 08:17
Looks like I mis-interpreted the info on the RAF Waddington (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafwaddington/aboutus/airwarfarecentre.cfm) page.
Based at RAF Waddington, and 11 other locations throughout the UK, the primary mission of the Air Warfare Centre is the provision of timely integrated mission support to the front line.
There are 4 separate, albeit integrated, areas of responsibility as follows:
DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Development Division is responsible for the implementation and supervision of the Unit's development functions in the capability acquisition process, to which it provides the full range of Air Warfare Centre specialist support. The Division's responsibilities also include the direction, control and management of the work of the Operations Evaluation Unit, the Joint Airborne Transport Evaluation Unit (JATEU), and Rotary Wing Operational Evaluation Trial Unit (RWOETU). It co-ordinates Strike Command's live, guided-weapons training, operational evaluations and Service trials. It is also responsible for providing aero systems training.
It looks like JHC own RWOETU, but the AWC are responsible for the direction, control and management of the work of RWOETU, so apart from sticking their head in the sand, and keeping funds in the bank, what do JHC actually do?
And last time I looked APPOEU belonged in AWC Dev Div.
Interfere, annoy, reduce operational capability ......
...........and who from there decided it would be good to night fly at leuchars in June!
Big Bear
24th Jun 2008, 19:37
And last time I looked APPOEU belonged in AWC Dev Div.
Yes, it was still there this morning:ok:
Dashed inconvenient what, night flying in the summer, you'd think we'd have a pass on that one...............
Big Bear
26th Jun 2008, 19:36
Just going round in ever-decreasing circles, like everyone else in the RAF :bored:
Dunhovrin
28th Jun 2008, 21:03
Don't know if it still goes on but my best heli Air-To-Air was playing Hide And Seek on The Plain with Sir Dick J in my RHS and Staysh Odiham (Candles) trying to stop us getting to Imber without being spotted. CAD at its best. We lost.
And, in fact, I spent most of my Fermanagh 48hr "det"s doing the same with Jaffa defending Sue Lawley Copshop.