Page 15 - issue08.03.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 8, 2019 P15

News

News Bulletin FAST JET TRAINING
Texan training

revolution

New T1 turboprop

POSEIDON ADVENTURE: From right,
Flt Lt Mowet, Navy graduate Lt Carina
Dubois and Flt Lt McPherson
Culdrose call up makes Valley debut

TWO OF the first weapons and
sensors specialists for Britain’s
new maritime patrol aircraft have
completed their basic training
with the Royal Navy.
Flt Lts Phil Mowat and Jase
McPherson are lined up to crew
the RAF’s new Poseidon P8s –
scouring hundreds of square miles
of ocean for underwater threats.
The duo are the first air force
Weapons System Officers (WSOs)
to undergo training with the Fleet
Air Arm’s 750 Naval Air Sqn. WORLD-LEADING: Preparing for a
They will now head to flight in the Texan T1
Jacksonville, Florida, in October
to begin Poseidon training
alongside former colleagues from Tracey Allen Wg Cdr Chris Ball, Officer Tucano at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. programmes demonstrates the
the Nimrod MR2 fleet. THE UK’S new Texan T1 Commanding the Texan Valley’s Station Commander, RAF’s commitment to investing
training aircraft made its first Integration Squadron at Valley, Gp Capt Chris Moon, said: “Basing in world-leading technology to
flight from RAF Valley under said: “Under the MFTS fighter the Texans here reinforces the maintain a military advantage over
a £1.2 billion programme to pilots will train on a world-leading vital role we play in UK defence, our adversaries.”
prepare pilots for frontline duty. aircraft. training RAF and Royal Navy fast
The tandem-seat turboprop “They start on the Prefect, move jet pilots for the frontline.
aircraft will replace the ageing on to the Texan and finish on the “I’ve been hugely impressed OUT
Tucano and is equipped with Hawk T2, making the training by the professionalism and
digital glass cockpit and mission process more efficient and far commitment of the team here on
simulation systems like the more representative of the aircraft the Squadron; a mix of military
combat jets pilots will fly in their types they will eventually fly. personnel and industry partners
frontline careers. “The Texan is the ideal lead-in who have worked extremely hard
The aircraft is part of a new fleet trainer to the Hawk T2 advanced to get us to this day.”
Defence Minister Stuart Andrew
Veterans I D of fixed wing and rotary trainers jet trainer they will move on to said: “The introduction of the
brought in under the Military here at Valley.”
The Texan T1s will be operated Texan T1 into one of Nato’s most
card launched Flight Training System to prepare by 72 Sqn, which currently flies the advanced fighter pilot training TUCANO
junior pilots for operational duty.
A VETERANS ID card designed
to improve access to mental health
care has been issued to Service Success is Tweet for budget bomber movie
leavers for the first time .
Military personnel who have left
since December 2018 will qualify Staff Reporter “Living in Lincolnshire you can’t
for the card which will also offer help but be affected by the RAF, BUDGET BLOCKBUSTER:
a range of discounts through the A LOW budget feature film about Bomber Command and the Dam Lancaster Skies sold out during
MoD’s Defence Discount Service. World War II Lancaster pilots, Busters.” a limited release, inset left, writer
The cards will allow veterans supported by actor Stephen Fry, has The film, rumoured to have cost and actor Stephen Fry
to more easily verify their service proved a sell-out in cinemas around just £80,000 to make, tells the story
to the NHS, their local authority, the country. of Douglas (Jeffrey Mundell), a
and charities, helping them to Lancaster Skies, by father and son broken, solitary Spitfire ace, who must
access dedicated services and team Andy and Callum Burn, was overcome his past to lead a Lancaster
support funded by a £10 million such a hit it filled venues on its initial bomber crew in the pivotal aerial war
government scheme. screening last month. over Berlin in 1944.
The new ID is expected to cut With Sam Parsons, the Burns Andy added: “Stephen Fry has
down on time-consuming checks run Tin Hat Productions, based been great – he has tweeted his
to identify individual veterans, the in Lincolnshire, that specialises support several times. We never
MoD said. in war films. thought the film would get into
Veterans Minister Tobias Andy said: “We wanted to cinemas and his backing has
Ellwood said: “We owe a huge make a film that was set in the really made a difference. We are
debt of gratitude to the ex-Forces 1940s and looked like it was living the dream.”
community, and we are working made in the 40s. We Lancaster Skies will
hard to ensure they receive the love war films and be screened at selected
support they deserve. Lancaster Skies is cinemas on various
“These cards celebrate the great a homage to the dates this month. Go
commitment and dedication of classic British war to: lancasterskies.
those who have served this country”. films of the era. com for details.