TACTICAL SUPPLY WING
Thread Starter
TACTICAL SUPPLY WING
Recently, the RAF seems to have awarded squadron status and all that entails, to an organisation which does not seem to meet the previous criteria.
However the air force has consistently refused to grant the privileges which squadron status affords to a unit, which has probably been deployed consistently longer than any other in the RAF. The unit is the Tactical Supply Wing (TSW), based in Stafford. The supposed reason for not awarding the Wing its just deserts is that it is not a flying unit.
Formed in 1970, it has been on almost continual deployment somewhere in the world, ever since. It has an enviable reputation and to ignore its claim when lesser units are given the honour is indefensible. I venture to suggest that there is not a single flying unit (except transport) that can match TSW.
Old Duffer
However the air force has consistently refused to grant the privileges which squadron status affords to a unit, which has probably been deployed consistently longer than any other in the RAF. The unit is the Tactical Supply Wing (TSW), based in Stafford. The supposed reason for not awarding the Wing its just deserts is that it is not a flying unit.
Formed in 1970, it has been on almost continual deployment somewhere in the world, ever since. It has an enviable reputation and to ignore its claim when lesser units are given the honour is indefensible. I venture to suggest that there is not a single flying unit (except transport) that can match TSW.
Old Duffer
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,763
Received 2,750 Likes
on
1,171 Posts
Catering have a mobile Sqn, what do they cook flying wise? it’s prepped on the ground and doughed out by loadmasters or stewards..
In GW1, the RAF mobile catering folk at KKIA were brilliant. So good that the Army banned their people from using the RAF facilities because the Army's cooks were underused and there was a risk of some of their perishable food stocks spoiling.
Although we did get a bit bored with chicken. It being Saudi, there was little else.
I'm told that after the South Atlantic conflict, there was a unit which rather grandly termed itself 'Tactical Admin'. Presumably with DPM (as it was then) typewriter ribbons?
Although we did get a bit bored with chicken. It being Saudi, there was little else.
I'm told that after the South Atlantic conflict, there was a unit which rather grandly termed itself 'Tactical Admin'. Presumably with DPM (as it was then) typewriter ribbons?
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,803
Received 135 Likes
on
63 Posts
Catering? … who could forget SAS Det, the “Soup and Sandwich Detachment” of Cat Sqn at Stanley?
And what about Tac ATC? A small group of ATCOs and Techies among the first in to a remote location?
And what about Tac ATC? A small group of ATCOs and Techies among the first in to a remote location?
Gentleman Aviator
As well as their amazing deployment performance, don't forget TSW's 24/7 fuel service at Stafford. Give 'em about 10 mins notice and the game was afoot!
Saved many a rotary mate embarrassment......
Who????
Me????
Saved many a rotary mate embarrassment......
Who????
Me????
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,803
Received 135 Likes
on
63 Posts
I remember some member of the two winged master race telling me how he and his mate were the first into somewhere other I asked him what the food was like. Apparently it wasn't bad. The mobile caterers were on our slop chit from HQSTC. A fine body of men and women (am I allowed to say that?). I seem to recall they had a field kitchen built into a converted container that could be wokka'd into position and be doors open and operating in minutes few.
Then there were the TSW lads who wanted to be able to do anti-ambush drills so they could fight their way through - in fuel bowsers.
Heady times.
Then there were the TSW lads who wanted to be able to do anti-ambush drills so they could fight their way through - in fuel bowsers.
Heady times.
The obvious parallel is to 42 ESW at Wittering, which has existed since 2007 (thereby refuting the OP's suggestion of elitism in favour of flying units). If that can get a number and a badge, then surely TSW can as well?
is the Mobile Met Unit part of Tac Comms Wing?
The ones I knew had more gongs than Idi Amin, they must have deployed rather often.
The ones I knew had more gongs than Idi Amin, they must have deployed rather often.
I used to parent some SUs out of Gütersloh, would they have been part of the organisation?
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Tennessee - Smoky Mountains
Age: 55
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Here and there....currently here.
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
3 Posts
In GW1, the RAF mobile catering folk at KKIA were brilliant. So good that the Army banned their people from using the RAF facilities because the Army's cooks were underused and there was a risk of some of their perishable food stocks spoiling.
Although we did get a bit bored with chicken. It being Saudi, there was little else.
Although we did get a bit bored with chicken. It being Saudi, there was little else.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,763
Received 2,750 Likes
on
1,171 Posts
Odi’s field kitchens were great in the 70-80’s, the airman’s mess however wasn’t, often wondered how they could produce brilliant food in a tent but buggered it up in a purpose build building.
IG