The Journal of the Royal Air Force College
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The Journal of the Royal Air Force College Volume LXXXI March 2010 Foreword Editorial By Group Captain Martin Killen, Editor-in-Chief By Flight Lieutenant Tim Artus, Editor he Green Paper on Defence was published on 3 February 2010 formally starting a process 009 has seen many challenges for the Royal Air Force and the College, as well as having Tthat will result in changes to the UK Armed Forces shape, size and capability. The basis for 2many successes – I hope you find the Journal of the Royal Air Force College reflects, in that change should be an assessment of the role the UK wishes to adopt regionally and globally, part, some of these. in the short-term and in the longer term. For the Royal Air Force the challenges will be immense – requiring the very best intellect and political acumen to secure affordable and adaptable airpower The Royal Air Force has a new Chief, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, who has kindly for HM Government. Airmen, officers and NCOs in today’s RAF are keen to engage in such contributed to this year’s Journal, providing a vision for Air Power and the asymmetric advantage debate; they share a passion as strong as ever for what we do, how we do it, and why we do it. it provides. Additionally, the College was privileged to receive Her Majesty The Queen and His Such interest is borne not only from our reputation, that man for man, as an air force, we remain Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh for the graduation of Initial Officer Training Course No second to none, but also through a sense of duty and service. 14, Specialist Entrant and Re-Entrant Course No 10, and Reserve Officer Initial Training Couse No 46. We reflect on this occasion from the perspectives of the College, the Cadet Parade As Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire stated in 2004: Commander, and the winner of the Sword of Honour – a memorable event, even without such honoured guests. “…The threat of terrorism and its effect, both nationally and globally, may encourage people to serve for ‘Queen and Country’ but it is not yet the threat to national survival that existed The 2009 Journal of the Royal Air Force College showcases the breadth and depth of the during the Second World War. So what does motivate people to serve today? They do it Directorate of Recruitment and Initial Training’s responsibilities and successes, as well as because they are professionals and understand that it is in the interests of the UK, if not in highlighting the close relations it has with Royal Air Force Cranwell and its other lodger units. its direct defence. Moreover, they have been trained as a team and they are not going to Certain themes run through the Journal – leadership, success and future focus. let that team down. Motivation may have changed, therefore, but I don’t think we should believe that all aspects of serving ‘Queen and Country’ have gone.” We have contributions from the Royal Air Force Exchange Officers working with The Royal Air Force of Oman, Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth and the Royal Military Academy The responsibility thrust on the young airmen, NCOs and officers of today is as great as ever, and Sandhurst – all of whom emphasise our roles and responsibilities for the future; Joint and mental and physical robustness will remain essential qualities during their careers. They share a Coalition operations. common bond; a sense of duty and service to the Queen, to the Country, to the Royal Air Force, and to their teams. Last but not least we provide many insights from tomorrow’s leaders who are today’s cadets. Whilst some things change, others are perennial – camaraderie, a sense of humour and a In the Journal of the Royal Air Force College you will find authors across all ranks, across all willingness to learn and take responsibility. departments, across academia, and from the newest cadet to the Chief of the Air Staff - in all the articles I think you will find evidence of that ‘common bond’. Group Captain M F Killen BSc RAF GROUP CAPTAIN OFFICER AND AIRCREW CADET TRAINING UNIT Flight Lieutenant Tim Artus BSc MCMI RAF Contents In Memoriam.....................................................................................................................1 Painting of the 2009 Royal Review ..................................................................................2 Visit to RAF Cranwell by HM The Queen & HRH The Duke of Edinburgh ......................3 The Parade Commander’s View ......................................................................................7 The Sword Winner’s Perspective ...................................................................................10 Combat Operations ........................................................................................................13 Air Power Studies and the RAF ......................................................................................20 General George S Patton ..............................................................................................24 Royal Air Force Initial Weapon System Officer Training ................................................26 Intercollegiate Games 2009 ...........................................................................................29 Improving Reporting on Leadership Across the JHC ....................................................31 Attributes for RAF Leaders ............................................................................................32 The Airmen’s Command Squadron ...............................................................................35 Rehabilitation and Development Flight ..........................................................................37 Sermon from Initial Officer Training Course Graduation Service................................... 39 Visit of the Polish Air Force Academy ............................................................................41 Curating the College Hall Heritage ................................................................................45 The Cranwell Whistle .....................................................................................................49 Initial Officer Training: Getting Better or Just Different? .................................................50 Duty of Care: Innovations to Support Recruits ...............................................................53 Term One: Initial Officer Training Course 18 ..................................................................55 Term Two: Living the Dream with IOTC 17 .....................................................................57 Term Three: B Squadron Almost Graduated .................................................................60 Overseas Exam Wing Visit: Ethiopian Air Force ............................................................61 Bandar Essay Winner ....................................................................................................63 To War With a Rubber Mallet! ........................................................................................66 Establishing a Meaningful ‘Hold’ ....................................................................................68 Contents OACTU’s Options for a Financially Restrained Future ..................................................70 Remembrance Sunday on the Brecon Beacons ............................................................73 Old Cranwellian Association Reunion Weekend ............................................................75 Life as a Platoon Commander .......................................................................................77 Our Man in Oman ...........................................................................................................80 Initial Offier Training with the Royal Navy ......................................................................83 Historical Perspectives and Lessons for the Future .......................................................86 The RAF Mentoring Scheme - Four Years On ...............................................................88 Air Cadets... The Digital Age .........................................................................................92 Good People in RECRUITING to Recruit Good People .................................................95 Ethics? Is That Near Sussex? ........................................................................................97 Personal Recollections of IOTC 16 ...............................................................................99 A Day in the Life of a Recruit Training Squadron Instructor .........................................104 Staff Ride to Washington, DC ......................................................................................106 A Squadron Short Courses ..........................................................................................109 Youth Engagement - Why Me? .................................................................................... 111 The Non-Commissioned Aircrew Initial Training Course ............................................. 113 The Boarding Process from Our End of the Telescope ............................................... 115 The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment ................................................................. 118 A Day in the Life of an RAF Halton Recruit .................................................................121 United States Air Force Academy International Week .................................................123 It’s Been a Busy Display Season for