A small corner of RAF Marham has been transformed into Kandahar Airfield this week as IX(B) Squadron move into the final preparation stages for their forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Op HERRICK.
The squadron personnel changed into their desert clothing as they participated in a variety of scenarios during the week long training exercise designed to expose them to the tempo of operations and to... the potential events and incidents that they may face during their forthcoming deployment.
The training was delivered by the newly formed Operational Training Centre based at RAF Leeming and who are responsible for training units prior to a deployment anywhere around the world. IX(B) Squadron personnel were tested on a number of scenarios that escalated throughout the week. Personnel had to deal with situations such as intruders attempting to gain access to the site, dealing with a variety of casualties and tackling a fire. Each scenario was observed by the staff from the Operational Training Centre who then debriefed the personnel so that they gained the maximum learning from the exercise. The exercise was also a fantastic training opportunity for other sections from RAF Marham such as the fire section, who assisted in the scenarios
Exercise director Sqn Ldr Simon Reade from the Operational Training Centre said “The IX(B) Squadron exercise is the first exercise to be delivered by the OTC. It has proven to be an extremely successful exercise which has highlighted the depth of preparation for their forthcoming deployment. Our staff, who are not only drawn from the OTC but from the regular and reserve air force along with USAF personnel, have tested the Squadron thoroughly by putting them through a range of scenarios that have demonstrated the strength of leadership and teamwork within the Squadron.”
Number IX(B) Squadron will take over from II(AC) in support of Op HERRICK later on this month and will be the penultimate Squadron to deploy to Afghanistan with 31 Squadron taking over from them towards the end of the year to see out the final drawdown of UK forces in Afghanistan .
The Squadron will be taking on the responsibility of patrolling the skies over Afghanistan providing reconnaissance and close air support. This is a particularly historical deployment for IX(B) Squadron as they will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Squadron at the end of the year.
Officer Commanding IX(B) Squadron Wing Commander Snaith said “This exercise is the final part of IX(B) Squadron’s preparations for their forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of NATO’s mission to assist the Afghan people. The Exercise has tested Squadron personnel’s ability to deal with a huge range of events, ranging from industrial and road traffic accidents to complex close air support missions, aircraft crashes and insurgent attacks on the operating base. A significant number of the Squadron have not deployed to Afghanistan before, and the confidence that they have drawn from their experiences during the week has been invaluable. They have proved that they are ready to deploy and, should the worst happen, that they know how to react. This will be Squadron’s final tour in Afghanistan and, as the curtain is drawn on this episode in the Squadron’s history, I am confident that the Squadron could not be better prepared to do what is needed to help and support that country.”
