Operations
No. 4 Flying Training School takes RAF and Royal Navy pilots from 1FTS at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and trains them to fly fast jets, prior to training on an Operational Conversion Unit. 4 FTS is divided into two squadrons; 208 Sqn provides legacy Hawk T1 advanced flying training and tactical weapons training. All RAF and RN students now train on 4 Sqn flying the modern Hawk T2.
Valley is also home to C Flight of 22 Sqn with Sea King helicopters. These are busy in the Search and Rescue role, rescuing people from ships in the Irish Sea, from the mountains of nearby Snowdonia and elsewhere. The mountain rescue work in Snowdonia is coordinated with the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association.
The base is also home to SARTU (Search and Rescue Training Unit), part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School, using AW139 and Griffin helicopters, and newly home to the relocated headquarters elements of both 22 and 202 Squadrons.
RAF Mona, also on Anglesey, acts as a relief landing ground.
HRH The Duke of Cambridge, second-in-line to the British Throne, is currently assigned to C Flight, 22 Squadron at RAF Valley, as a co-pilot flying the Sea King search and rescue helicopter.
Squadrons based at RAF Valley include:
- No. 4 FTS
- 4 Sqn
- 208 Sqn
- RAF Search and Rescue Force HQ
- 22 Squadron (HQ and C flight)
- No. 202 Squadron RAF (HQ)
- 203(R) Squadron
- Defence Helicopter Flying School
- Defence Helicopter Flying School Search and Rescue Training Unit
- RAF Mountain Rescue Service
Read more about this topic: RAF Valley
Famous quotes containing the word operations:
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