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

Catering have a mobile Sqn, what do they cook flying wise? it’s prepped on the ground and doughed out by loadmasters or stewards..

Maybe it's because Tiswas have been supporting us Rotary types over the decades, nothing as glamorous as an FJ.

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?

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?

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????

If its already a Wing, then how can it be made into a Squadron?

Pedant! 😀

Make it a Group, then. I’m sure there’s a spare Numberplate gathering dust somewhere in the ashes!

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.

I think Tac Comms Wing have been first into more places than the above.

And the Royal Engineers even more I daresay,

...
The Red Bull Express !! :):)

LFH
...

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?

As an old TCW tech, I spent about 3 months in UK out of a 3 year stint.

IG

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.

I used to parent some SUs out of Gütersloh, would they have been part of the organisation?

No.






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Oh yes, I remember that in the unfinished terminal, especially the donuts which they made. Seem to remember it was 24/7 as well. Great scoff all round. Made a change from the 5 star catering we had been putting up with in the hotels of Muscat and Riyadh up to that point!!!!

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.

72 ish we deployed to Belize with an Army SU as part of 38 Group. we all needed to pack up our boxes and depart at high speed on occasion, cover provided by 2nd Bat Grenadiers.

IG