The Journal of the Royal Air Force College
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE COLLEGE THE ROYAL THE JOURNAL OF The Journal of the Royal Air Force College VOLUME LXXXIII VOLUME Designed and Printed by Media Services, Serco UK & Europe, Royal Air Force College Cranwell May 2012 Volume LXXXIII Foreword By Air Commodore Paul Oborn CBE ADC RAF, Commandant Royal Air Force College elcome to the Journal of the RAF College for 2012. As I sit down necessary for our organisation to continue to thrive, I was hugely aware Wto write this introduction I am conscious that this is yet another that this was yet another change management challenge for the staff at task that I shall be performing for the last time. By the time you read this Cranwell. Whilst I am not surprised at the way our marvellous civilian piece I will have moved on after an all too short period as Commandant and military staff accepted, embraced and adopted the reorganisation, of the RAF College. It has been a privilege to command this august it does not lessen my admiration and gratitude for their perseverance organisation and to have the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and persistence. group of people, both current staff and College alumni. This year’s Journal reflects that theme of cooperation for mutual benefit I mentioned in my foreword to the 2011 edition of the Journal that and progress. Alongside articles that specifically highlight the excellent following SDSR the RAF is faced with considerable challenges as it work of RAF College Cranwell and RAF Halton are fascinating insights adjusts to meet the new ‘manning balance’. The turbulence caused by the into our liaisons with wider military and civilian organisations. In times redundancy process necessarily, but unfortunately, extends into 2012 and of stricture and austerity it is vital that we all reap the benefits that rightly continues to be a top priority for the command chain. In looking come from more coherent working practices throughout the military to address both personnel and longer-term organisational upheaval I felt and civilian community and some of that sterling effort is reflected it was vital to ensure that our own house was in the best possible shape here. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to to cope with future. Therefore, I decided it was necessary to carry out a the Journal for their interesting and review of the command and staff relationships between the RAF College informative pieces. My thanks also to and RAF Station Cranwell. The relationship between College and Station the 2012 editor Flt Lt Marshall. During had always been close, friendly and productive; however, in order to meet a particularly busy period in her primary the requirements of the post SDSR RAF, it became obvious that it was time duties Katherine has willingly given up to reap the efficiency benefits of cementing those relationships under a much of her own spare time to ensure unified command structure. As a result, on 16 Dec 2011, both ‘sides of the the Journal continues to meet the high road’ joined forces as the RAF College Cranwell under the command of the standards expected of such a prestigious Commandant. Whilst I am in no doubt that this process was absolutely publication. Air Commodore P N Oborn Commandant Royal Air Force College and Director of Recruitment and Initial Training (Royal Air Force) Editorial By Flight Lieutenant Katherine Marshall MEng RAF, Editor “Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.” (Machiavelli) s I pondered the theme for this year’s Journal the pace of change was Royal Air Force, providing a platform from which we can nurture our Aonce again apparent. The upheaval created by the global economic future assets and promoting better understanding of the Armed Forces situation has been shared by millions of people, with the Royal Air Force in general. inevitably shouldering its share of the burden. Organisational change Further to this, this edition provides proof that the recruiting, selection at the newly unified RAF College Cranwell has shown our willingness and training systems continue to produce outputs of the highest quality, to adapt, but it has been our increasing engagement with the wider albeit with a reduction in volume. No matter the size of our Force the community which has best demonstrated our strength and readiness standards expected remain the same and it is our challenge to ensure to evolve in line with the changing world. Hence, the theme is one of that the calibre of our personnel, and the ethos of the organisation ‘Engagement’. remain second to none. The range of articles contained herein show that the importance of closer In short, this year’s Journal shows that Royal Air Force College Cranwell co-operation between the military and civilian communities is universally is working hard to broaden its outlook whilst maintaining its standards, recognised. In particular, they demonstrate our commitment to the striving to build a stronger, more secure development of the future generation, whether that be through the Air future, not only for the Royal Air Force Cadet Organisation, University Air Squadrons or Motivational Outreach but also for wider society. Teams. Continued external engagement is crucial to the success of the Flight Lieutenant Katherine Marshall Contents In Memoriam.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Air Power In An Age Of Uncertainty .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Operation ELLAMY: Air Power From The Air Component Headquarters ............................................................................................................................. 8 Wider Markets ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 Through Service Professional Development ................................................................................................................................................................................14 Robustness, Readiness And Rising To The Challenge................................................................................................................................................................16 The University Air Squadrons .............................................................................................................................................................................................................18 RAF Officers Make Great Escape .......................................................................................................................................................................................................21 Are You Hungry? Are You Sure? .......................................................................................................................................................................................................23 RAF College Cranwell Royal Review ................................................................................................................................................................................................25 The Jack Holt Memorial Pace Stick For 2011 ................................................................................................................................................................................26 Old Cranwellian Association Reunion Weekend 9-10 Jul 2011..............................................................................................................................................27 RAF Officer First Woman To Complete Enduroman Event .......................................................................................................................................................29 Air Vice Marshal Gray CB MC RAF Winning Essay: Decisive Edge ..........................................................................................................................................30 OASC Corporate Events ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................32 Where Have All The Cadets Gone? ..................................................................................................................................................................................................33 Complex World, Complex Challenges: The Operation Of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems In Afghanistan .....................................................35 RAF Recruiting - The Easy Life? ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Term 2 Reflections ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................39 Life In The Trenches ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................42