RAF communications specialists going to and coming from Afghanistan
18 Dec 09
While some personnel from 90 Signals Unit (90SU), based at RAF Leeming, have come home from a ten-week deployment to Afghanistan this week, others have been deploying.
A member of 90 Signals Unit preparing for deployment during an exercise at RAF Waddington
[Picture: SAC Royal, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The role of 90 Signals Unit is to ensure that essential communications are kept up and running around the clock.
After ten weeks in Afghanistan, members of No 2 Field Communications Squadron, Tactical Communications Wing, arrived home this week to the hugs and joy of their waiting family members at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.
And, just a few days before, Members of No 3 Field Communications Squadron, Tactical Communications Wing, deployed to Afghanistan where they will take over maintaining and fixing intricate communications equipment to the highest standards in tough, dusty conditions with weather extremes.
No 3 squadron will also be pioneers for 90SU, as they are the first to deploy on a four-month tour, instead of ten weeks previously, and are part of a new roulement which is designed to maximise training time for personnel, whilst providing continuity to the operational environment.
The Commanding Officer of 90SU, Group Captain John Philliban, is content that the new deployment and training rhythm will ensure that his personnel are well prepared to provide a service which is taken for granted by some, but vital to operational effectiveness and even flight safety.
A member of 90 Signals Unit preparing for deployment during an exercise at RAF Waddington
[Picture: SAC Royal, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
He said:
"We provide deployed personnel with what many take for granted at their home bases in terms of airfield navigation aids, computer services and telecommunications.
"Indeed, over the next four months, 3 Squadron will be responsible for the provision of these services, many of which are mission-critical and cover a wide range of complex systems ranging from satellite ground terminals to highly complex data exchanges and servers, often in less than ideal conditions with high temperatures and sand to contend with."
Services provided by 90SU may be invisible to some but, to put their key role into context, every aircraft landing or taking off from Camp Bastion will have contact with a 90SU piece of equipment at some point, and operational communications between the RAF in Afghanistan and the UK would be impossible without them.
Training for the broad range of equipment used in operational theatres is a vital part of pre-deployment training. Gp Capt Philliban is confident that the new four-month schedule for the four squadrons which fall within the Tactical Communications Wing will allow him to provide an even higher level of service on operations, whilst giving personnel at least a year in the UK between detachments.
A member of 90 Signals Unit preparing for deployment during an exercise at RAF Waddington
[Picture: SAC Royal, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
He said:
"The new four-month roulement enables a better balance between operational output, training and quality of life. At the same time, we need to ensure that the welfare needs of individuals deploying for four months are fully catered for.
"Over the festive season, support provided will include coffee mornings and Christmas parties for the children of serving personnel."
Deploying over Christmas may seem tough, but some personnel deploying for the first time were looking forward to their new role.
Senior Aircraftman Kieran Newsham said:
"I can't wait to get out there. This is my first posting with the RAF, and I started training for deployment in May. I'm apprehensive but excited at the same time. I've never been away from home for that long, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."