Joint Forward Air Control Training and Standardisation Unit

Last updated

Joint Forward Air Control Training and Standardisation Unit
JFACTSU
Forward Air Controller course. MOD 45148292.jpg
An improved data modem computer being used in a JFACTSU training course in 2004.
Active1964–present
Country Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Branch Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy
Flag of the British Army.svg  British Army
Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force
TypeTraining
RoleForward Air Controller training
Garrison/HQ RAF Chivenor, Devon, England 1964–1977

RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, Wales 1977–1993
RAF Finningley, Yorkshire, England 1993–1995

Contents

RAF Leeming, Yorkshire, England 1995–
54°17′50.9″N1°31′36.4″W / 54.297472°N 1.526778°W / 54.297472; -1.526778

The Joint Forward Air Control Training and Standardisation Unit (JFACTSU) is a training unit located at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, England. The unit teaches students from across all three services of the British Armed Forces (and international allies) to become Forward Air Controllers (FACs). Forward Air Controllers, working from a forward position on the ground, or in the air, direct the fire of combat aircraft that are engaged in close air support of land forces.

History

During the First World War, troops on the ground would use flares, ground markers and flags to guide pilots in on targets. The difficulties in actual communication between the air and the ground meant that real time information was lost. By the time of the Africa Campaign in 1941, man portable radios were available for troops on the ground to brief aircrew. [1] This lead in turn to the establishment of Forward Air Support Links (FASL) (or Rover Parties) which involved soldiers and airmen of RAF Desert Air Force. [2]

After the Second World War, the lessons learned were taken forward into the Air Land Integration policy of the School of Land-Air Warfare (SLAW) which taught formal FAC training at RAF Old Sarum in Wiltshire. When flying ceased at RAF Old Sarum, the FAC training moved on as part of the Joint Warfare Establishment, firstly to RAF Chivenor, then to RAF Brawdy. [2]

When RAF Brawdy was decommissioned as an RAF base and handed over to the army, JFACTSU moved to RAF Finningley in South Yorkshire. Finningley then closed just two years later and in 1995, JFACTSU moved to its present location at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire [2] as the Joint Forward Air Control Training and Standardisation Unit.

British Forward Air Controllers have been deployed into many conflicts and operations such as Korea, Malaya, Suez, Indonesia, Aden, Oman, Falklands, Operation Granby, Operation Agricola, Operation Telic and Operation Herrick.

Training

A JFACTSU student on board an Army Gazelle helicopter consulting a map, while calling in the coordinates of a potential target. Army Gazelle helicopters carrying trainee Forward Air Controllers (FACs) at RAF Spadeadam, Cumbria MOD 45148269.jpg
A JFACTSU student on board an Army Gazelle helicopter consulting a map, while calling in the coordinates of a potential target.

JFACTSU have two Hawk aircraft and two pilots on their staff who are overseen in flying matters at the adjacent hangar on RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. [3]

Students on the course are taught how to request, plan, brief and execute close air support operations. Students also have the opportunity to fly back seat in one of the Hawk aircraft, to experience first hand what the pilot will be seeing and hearing. [4] The four to eight week course (depending on the specialization and security restrictions) [5] [6] culminates in a training exercise held at RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria, [7] where the students call in mock attacks from the Hawks. [8] Training can also be delivered via a state of the art iCASS (Immersive Close Air Support Simulator), that was purchased for JFACTSU in 2014. [9]

Forward Air Controller training can also be conducted at Pembrey Sands Air Weapons Range in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. This range is open to all UK and NATO allied forces. [10]

It is noted as being a centre for FAC training and has in the past trained students from Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovak Republic, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United States. Many of these were trained as NATO allies and some (Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) were trained before they became NATO partners and allies. [4] Prince Harry is among the British graduates of training courses conducted by the JFACTSU. [11]

After training, RAF FAC personnel (mostly from the RAF Regiment) operate from a central pool at RAF Honington in Suffolk. [12]

Aircraft

Since its inception, JFACTSU have utilized two types of airframe for initial training; Hawker Hunters at Chivenor and Brawdy [13] and BAe Hawks at Finningley and now Leeming. [14]

Notes

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force</span> Air and space force of the United Kingdom

    The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time. Since its formation, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history. In particular, during the Second World War, the RAF established clear air superiority over Hermann Göring's Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, and led the allied strategic bombing effort.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Leeming</span> Royal Air Force base in Yorkshire, England

    Royal Air Force Leeming or more simply RAF Leeming is a Royal Air Force station located near Leeming, North Yorkshire, England. It was opened in 1940 and was jointly used by the RAF and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Between 1950 and 1991, it operated mostly as a training base with Quick Reaction Force (QRF) Panavia Tornado F3 fighters based there in the latter stages of the Cold War and into the early 21st century. Since 2006, it has become the home of the deployable RAF communications cadre and the home of No. 135 Expeditionary Air Wing.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">RM Chivenor</span> Military base in Devon, England

    Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor is a British military base used primarily by 3 Commando Brigade. It is situated on the northern shore of the River Taw estuary, adjacent to the South West Coast Path, on the north coast of Devon, England. The nearest towns are Barnstaple and Braunton.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Spadeadam</span> Royal Air Force station in Cumbria, England

    RAF Spadeadam is a Royal Air Force (RAF) station in Cumbria, England, close to the border with Northumberland. It is the home of the 9,000 acre (36 km2) electronic warfare (EW) tactics range, making it the largest RAF base in the United Kingdom. Its primary use is for EW training to the RAF and NATO allies. The site and course of Hadrian's Wall runs a few miles south of the range.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Finningley</span> Royal Air Force base in Yorkshire, England

    Royal Air Force Finningley or RAF Finningley was a Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force station at Finningley, in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. The station straddled the historic county boundaries of both Nottinghamshire and the West Riding of Yorkshire.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 22 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

    Number 22 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is an operational testing and evaluation squadron for all the Joint Helicopter Command helicopter types including Chinook, Puma HC2, Merlin HC4, Apache and Wildcat AH1. Formerly the Rotary Wing Operational Evaluation and Training Unit, the highly experienced helicopter aircrew will also ensure frontline crews have Qualified Warfare Instructors to support them on operations worldwide. The squadron was reformed in May 2020 to serve as the Joint Helicopter Command Operational Evaluation Unit.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 100 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

    Number 100 Squadron is a former Royal Air Force squadron. It last operated the British Aerospace Hawk T1, providing 'aggressor' aircraft for air combat training from RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, UK.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Forward air control</span> Military operations and doctrine regarding the guidance of close air support

    Forward air control is the provision of guidance to close air support (CAS) aircraft intended to ensure that their attack hits the intended target and does not injure friendly troops. This task is carried out by a forward air controller (FAC).

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Tactical Air Control Party</span> Military team coordinating close air support

    The Tactical Air Control Party, commonly abbreviated TACP, is a small team of military personnel who provide coordination between aircraft and ground forces when providing close air support.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint terminal attack controller</span> U.S. military term for a forward air controller

    Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) is the term used in the United States Armed Forces and some other military forces for a qualified service member who directs the action of military aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position. The term that is used in most other countries, as well as previously in the U.S. and in the relevant NATO standard, is Forward Air Controller. The term became effective in the U.S. on September 3, 2003 with the publishing of Joint Publication (JP) 3-09.3 Close Air Support.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Brawdy</span> Former Royal Air Force station in Pembrokeshire, Wales

    Royal Air Force Brawdy, or more simply RAF Brawdy, is a former Royal Air Force satellite station located 6.3 miles (10.1 km) east of St Davids, Pembrokeshire and 9.8 miles (15.8 km) south west of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was operational between 1944 and 1992; it was used by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy (1946–1971), before the site was turned over to the British Army and renamed Cawdor Barracks.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 19 Squadron RAF</span> Air control squadron of the Royal Air Force

    Number 19 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was the first squadron to operate the Supermarine Spitfire. It currently operates the UK's Control and Reporting Centre from RAF Boulmer. No. 19 Squadron delivers persistent surveillance of UK airspace, and Tactical Control of RAF and NATO aircraft, including the UK's contribution to NATO's Quick Reaction Alert mission.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cawdor Barracks</span>

    Cawdor Barracks is a British Army installation located 6.3 miles (10.1 km) east of St Davids, Pembrokeshire and 9.8 miles (15.8 km) south west of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Exercise Joint Warrior</span> NATO multi-national military exercise

    Exercise Joint Warrior is a major biannual multi-national military exercise which takes place in the United Kingdom, predominately in north west Scotland. It is the successor of the Neptune Warrior exercises and Joint Maritime Course.

    At the end of the Cold War in 1989, the Royal Air Force (RAF) structure was as follows:

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron</span> Military unit

    The Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron is a Royal Air Force flying training unit that currently operates out of RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, England. One of fourteen University Air Squadrons, the unit traditionally recruits students from universities across the Yorkshire and Humber region and provides bursaries for those who wish to pursue a career in the Royal Air Force.

    This is the structure of the Royal Air Force, as of October 2020.

    11 Squadron is a flying squadron of the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF). The squadron most recently reformed in November 2021 as a joint QEAF/Royal Air Force squadron. It is currently based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom and operates nine BAE Systems Hawk Mk.167s. The unit provides advanced and high-speed jet training for both QEAF and RAF pilots.

    References

    1. ↑ Quinn 2012, p. 118.
    2. 1 2 3 "JFACTSU". Royal Air Force Leeming. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
    3. ↑ "Saying 'Yes' the Name of the Game for RAF's 'Aggressors'". defence aerospace.com. Ministry of Defence. October 2005. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
    4. 1 2 "Air controllers' training rated as best in the world". RAF News (1018): 8. 2 March 2001. ISSN   0035-8614.
    5. ↑ "Forward Air Controllers". Elite UK Forces. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
    6. ↑ "International Defence Training – Forward Air Controllers 4704". Royal Air Force. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
    7. ↑ "Forward Air Control". Royal Air Force Spadeadam. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
    8. ↑ "New FOBs, New Courses, New Toys!". RAF Leeming Excalibur: 22–23. November 2011. OCLC   498874569.
    9. ↑ "iCASS system purchased by the Joint Forward Air Control Training and Standardisation Unit (JFACTSU), UK MoD" (PDF). Close Air Solutions. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
    10. ↑ "DTE Pembrokeshire" (PDF). gov.uk. Ministry of Defence. p. 2. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
    11. ↑ "Prince Harry provided air support for UK troops". The Telegraph. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
    12. ↑ Quinn 2012, p. 119.
    13. ↑ "Joint Commands". Quarterly and Defence Journal 1976. 106: 168. 1976. ISSN   0004-2552.
    14. ↑ Coupland, Peter (1997). Straight & True. London: Leo Cooper. p. 114. ISBN   9781473818644.

    Sources

    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.