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Operation ESCALIN
from Helicon
In September 2021, as fuel stock projections started to decline, showing in some cases below 20%, the fuel supply picture began to look bleak, and a National crisis began. Four Mechanical Transport Drivers (MTDs) from RAF Odiham Logistics Squadron were placed at R1 readiness and then activated as part of Operation ESCALIN. This is a Defence contingency operation, to provide military assistance to civilian authorities, in the event of resolving fuel delivery shortages to forecourts across the UK.
Cpl Scott Gillson
On the 30th September 2021, Cpl Scott Gillson and SAC Mike Lea, from RAF Odiham MT, were briefed to report to Kendrew Barracks in Lincolnshire with little information as to where they would be deployed to or how long for, the guesses ranged from 6 days to 6 months! Later that day they received information that they would be assisting Hoyer at the Hemel Hempstead Fuel Terminal. Initially they arrived as part of an 18-strong team, compromising of 9 crews, made up from 9 RAF Logs MTD’s and 9 ‘drivers-mates’ from various trade groups across the RAF. They were shortly joined by a further 4 crews which included 2 additional drivers from RAF Odiham: Cpl Genevieve Loni and SAC Stevie Kane. On arrival at Hemel, the drivers received 2 days of training carried out by civilian training staff from Hoyer. These included site induction safety briefs, driving assessments and carrying out supervised fuel deliveries, all whilst under the watchful gaze and increased speculation of the national and international media. Trained and ready to go, the Odiham contingent were ready to start delivering fuel alongside their civilian counterparts. All RAF crews were integrated into the Hoyer shift pattern, directly working side-by-side with Hoyer’s civilian drivers. Their norm quickly became demanding 12-hour day or night shifts, starting at 04:00 or 16:00 respectively, and being fully integrated alongside Hoyer drivers meant they were able to call on their counterpart’s knowledge and experience. The civilian drivers readily gave their top tips and advice for frequently navigating the large fuel tankers into some of the very tight forecourts which
made for a very collaborative environment. The fuel deliveries were required over a vast area, covering as far down as the congested streets of outer London, to the narrow country roads of East Norfolk and busy motorway service stations. The arrival of a tanker at a forecourt would quickly induce a flurry of vehicles to descend on the delivery site, as word of available fuel would be quickly shared across social media. It was great to also see that the appreciation of the RAF’s assistance was clear when arriving at an empty forecourt. Staff readily offering a hot drink (and maybe a snack or 2), which at 0500 on a cold morning was certainly a welcome sight. From the outset the extent of fuel shortage was apparent, not only the lengthy queues of cars, but also arriving at forecourts where the underground storage tanks were completely empty. As the weeks passed and the deliveries continued it was evident progress was finally being made, queues at forecourts were reducing and underground storage tanks were staying fuller for longer, the public panic seemed to reduce. Operation ESCALIN 21 lasted over 2 months, with the final crews being ‘stood-down’ in December 2021. Of note, all drivers held on Operation ESCALIN readiness are required to complete annual Operation ESCALIN training at the Defence School of Transport (DST) Leconfield. Here they carry out familiarisation on driving fuel tankers on the road and simulated forecourt deliveries, using water in purpose built mock fuel stations at DST. The opportunity to put this training into practice during Operation ESCALIN, gave all the drivers invaluable knowledge and experience as well as the satisfying feeling of knowing they were making a difference.
