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32 (THE ROYAL) SQUADRON
I wanted to write to introduce myself as I take over as OC 32 Sqn from Wg Cdr Delia Chadwick.
My Royal Air Force journey actually started back in 2001 when I joined the University of Birmingham Air Squadron (UBAS) and after 4-years at University, I knew a career in the RAF was for me. After being successful at OASC, I started IOT in Nov 2005 and graduated in Jun 2006. I was streamed multi-engine and after nearly a year of holding I started my multi-engine flying training on 45 Sqn in May 2007. After graduating 45 Sqn and being awarded my wings, I was posted to the Nimrod MR2 (my 1st museum aircraft). I spent 3.5 years at Kinloss as a member of 201 (Guernsey’s Own) Sqn. The Nimrod force and RAF Kinloss was incredible, but sadly my time here was cut short due to SDSR10 defence review. Post-Nimrod I was assigned to 14 Sqn at RAF Waddington, flying the Shadow R1. I spent 6-years on 14 Sqn, deploying on several ops to Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa. An very interesting job. In 2017 I was offered a posting to No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron! However, due to training backlogs I was sent to work in 2Gp Air Safety at Headquarters Air Command, awaiting my OCU start. However, in Nov 2017 I was offered promotion and managed to secure myself a Flt Cdr position back on 32 Sqn after a tour in Air Cap working on the Programme to secure new aircraft for the Squadron. After 2-years in Air Cap, I then spent 12-months in the Falkland Islands as XO 905 EAW. This tour was like nothing I had experienced previously and was hugely rewarding and windy! Finally, in Jan 2021, I was back on 32 Sqn! I graduated the OCU in Jul 2021 and even though my time flying the BAe146 (my 2nd museum aircraft) was short-lived, it was such an honour to have this wonderful machine in my logbook. I saw some incredible places and have some amazing memories. I remained on 32 Sqn to support Wg Cdr Chadwick with the integration on Envoy into service, however Wg Cdr Chadwick’s time as OC 32 Sqn had to end and I was given this amazing opportunity to take command of the Squadron, prior to Wg Cdr Eoin Sands arrival next year.
It is such a privilege to be at the helm of such and incredible Squadron. We have some extremely exciting times ahead as we shape the Envoy into full military capability and also looking at the future of our rotary wing capability.
If anyone would like to know more about the Squadron please let us know. Sqn Ldr Tom Bates, OC 32 (TR) Sqn
B Flight Update
As well as a steady routine of flying the Prime Minister, Senior MPs and Military Officers, B Flt, 32 (The Royal) Sqn were fortunate enough to put into practice the ‘Royal’ moniker associated with the Sqn this year.
The crews on the BAe 146 and now Envoy are used to flying members of the Royal Family (if you can ever get used to that), but on the AW109 helicopter it is a rarity due to the now King’s Helicopter Flight based at RAF Odiham being the normal mode of transport for any Royal helicopter flights. As fate would have it though, we received a request to fly His Royal Highness the King, but at the time Prince of Wales around some sites in the North of Scotland. It was a privilege and pleasure to fly HRH, he was extremely personable and spoke to the pilots before each leg of the journey.
RAF Lossiemouth, FLOT gear attached and P8 in the background The Flt has been fortunate enough to have flown another Royal recently, Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex. She was equally endearing and a pleasure to fly to enable her to visit her patronages in the Manchester and Sheffield areas; maybe word got out of the exemplary service 32 (The Royal) Sqn provides and the AW109 will receive more requests from the Royal Household, we hope so!
Air Safety on the Sqn has been improved, in particular the risk of Mid-Air Collision (MAC), especially with gliders, has been reduced by the procurement of SkyEcho for the AW109. This device, which simply fits to the door window by way of a stick-on mount, gives the pilots information on aircraft nearby, but more importantly has the ability to receive information on gliders, which the traditional Traffic Alerting System would not pick up. It will aid any information given by ATC and should help to increase the pilot’s awareness of traffic whilst flying and therefore reduce the risk of MAC.
Looking to the future the civilian owned, military registered aircraft contract for the AW109 will run out in Apr 23. A new tender for the contract is underway and everyone is confident the rotary element of 32 (The Royal) Sqn will endure with minimal interruption.
