207 Squadron Crew Ex Panther Fury

Early

2023 has seen 207 Squadron's focus turn to achieving Carrier Qualifications.

For two weeks in February, 207 Squadron embarked in HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH for the first time to conduct Carrier Qualifications (CQ) and Landing Signals Officer (LSO) training for the Lightning Force (LF). These qualifications are essential to maintain resilience within the Force and to ensure the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) is able to continue to train students in this vital skill. The Exercise marked the first time many on the Squadron had embarked in a Royal Navy ship which made it an ideal opportunity for training and development across all teams.

Prior to embarkation, the whole Squadron had a part to play in planning and preparing.

The Engineering team worked tirelessly to ensure enough jets were fully maintained whilst also conducting flight deck specific pre-embarkation training. Mission Support Flight liaised closely with the mission planning team onboard HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to transfer the essential files, pilot documentation and communication frequencies required for the aircraft to successfully embark. They also sent members in an Advance Party to test the mission planning equipment onboard was functioning as required. Finally, the pilots travelled to BAE Systems in Warton to practise Carrier take-offs and landings in a specifically designed simulator. This pre-requisite training allowed the Squadron LSOs, all experienced at landing on aircraft carriers, to provide constructive feedback to trainee and refresher pilots that would later contribute to the safe execution of CQs onboard.

Once at sea, the initial challenge for many personnel was simply finding their way around the maze that is HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH. Thankfully, the ship’s company were extremely understanding and were always happy to help lost Squadron members get where they needed to be (often nowhere near where they had been found!).

Two days into the embarkation, five jets left Marham and joined the ship. During their short time at sea, six student pilots achieved both their day and night CQs alongside qualified pilots who also refreshed their CQs. Each of the pilots was required to fly five sorties (three day and two night) in order to achieve the qualification. These sorties involved them launching from and recovering to the ship 16 times in varying weather and visibility conditions, including pitch black conditions.

Overall, 49 sorties and 121 deck landings were completed with all areas of the Squadron working cohesively in a new and unfamiliar environment to achieve this. The high tempo of sorties coupled with strong winds on deck and continuous maintenance requirements did not phase the team as they continued to produce safe and effective flight deck operations day after day.

Other notable achievements whilst onboard included one pilot attaining their Landing Signals Officer Qualification and another now halfway towards acquiring theirs. In the Engineering Flight, LAET Teichman passed his Certificate of Competency to Supervise Aircraft Maintenance (CCSAM) Board, which now makes him a fully qualified Supervisor.

Whilst Ex Panther Fury marked the first time the Squadron had embarked in HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, her partnership with the Lightning Force is set to endure for many years to come. All teams came away with great experience and valuable lessons that have been reflected on and fed forward for the benefit of future LF embarked operations.

As the Squadron now turns its attention back to day-today training and the start of LF’s first Qualified Weapons Instructor Course, the squadron has enjoyed the experience and is proud to have achieved so much in such a relatively short embarkation.