No. 90 Signals Unit RAF

Last updated

No. 90 Signals Unit
90SUCrest.gif
Unit badge
Active1 April 2006 (2006-04-01) – present
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
BranchEnsign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force
TypeAir Combat Service Support unit
RoleInformation and communication services
Size900+ personnel
Home station RAF Leeming
Motto(s)Aetherem vincere (Latin for 'Conquer the upper air')
Website Official website
Commanders
Current
commander		 Group Captain Paul Jennings
Insignia
Unit badgeA Royal Blue stag wearing an ethereal crown around its neck. [1]
The Tactical Recognition Flash of TCW and 90 Signals Unit 90SUTRF.jpg
The Tactical Recognition Flash of TCW and 90 Signals Unit

90 Signals Unit (90 SU) is based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire and provides information and communication services to deployed units of the Royal Air Force.

Contents

History

No. 90 (Signals) Group was formed on 26 April 1946 and had its headquarters at RAF Medmenham in Buckinghamshire. It combined the signals, radio and countermeasures elements of Numbers 26, 60 and 100 Groups and No. 80 Wing RAF. Its purpose was to provide ground radio engineering, telecommunications, electronic warfare and the calibration and operation of navigational aids for aircraft. The Group became RAF Signals Command in November 1958, then becoming part of Strike Command, and reverting to No. 90 (Signals) Group on 1 January 1969. [2] [3]

No. 90 Signals Unit was formed on 1 April 2006 under the command of a Group captain. [4] Force elements from RAF Brize Norton, RAF High Wycombe and RAF Sealand relocated to RAF Leeming in Yorkshire between Summer 2007 and Summer 2009 as part of the creation of the A6 Communications hub. [5]

In December 2009 No 1 Expeditionary Radar and Airfield (ERA) Squadron becoming No 1 Field Communications (FC) Squadron, with personnel from the former Squadron being incorporated into the four FC Squadrons. No 1 (ERA) Squadron's role was to deploy, support and recover a wide range of airfield sensors, navigational aids and information infrastructure worldwide. This role was then carried out by specialist teams within the field Communications squadrons. [6] No 5 Information Systems (IS) Squadron moved under the control of 90 SU Force Generation Wing (FGW).

In February 2015, No 1 (Field Communication) Squadron was transferred to Engineering Support Squadron, FGW, becoming 1 (Engineering Support) Squadron. Additionally, the Trade Group 4 Aerial Erectors employed on the Field Communication Squadrons were centralised within the Aerial Erector Flight, FGW.

Motto and badge

90SU's motto is "Aetherem Vincere" (which translates as "To conquer the upper air") [7] and is taken from the former No. 90 (Signals) Group badge. [8]

Unit role

90SU is an Air Combat Service Support Unit that exists to "support airpower through the delivery of assured information & communication services". [9]

Organisational structure

Tactical Communications Wing
Tactical Communications Wing RAF Badge.png
Unit badge
Active1962 (1962) (as the No. 38 Group Support Unit) – present
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
BranchEnsign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force
TypeAir Combat Service Support unit
RoleDeployable information and communication services
Size Wing
Part ofNo. 90 Signals Unit
Home station RAF Leeming
Motto(s)Ubique loquimur (Latin for 'We speak everywhere')
Website Official website
Insignia
Unit badgeA rock dove in front of a lightning bolt
The Old Tactical Recognition Flash of TCW TCWTRF.jpg
The Old Tactical Recognition Flash of TCW

90 Signals Unit is commanded by a Group Captain. [10] The Unit is split into two Wings, with a number of Squadrons carrying out various roles. [9]

Operational Information Services Wing (OpISW)

  • No 1 (Engineering Support) Sqn - responsible for the engineering support to deployable network equipment used across the Unit. The maintenance of Defence’s Navigational Aids both fixed and deployable. Providing Defence Working at Height and cable infrastructure specialists. Providing engineering support to a number of Defence’s Above Secret Systems.
  • No 5 (Information Services) Sqn - responsible for building, configuring and supporting 90SU’s deployable Information Systems.
  • Capability and Innovation Sqn - provides specialist technical and Information eXploitation (IX) expertise support to Air on any fielded equipment, Air Information Services (IS) application or IX issues.

Tactical Communications Wing (TCW)

TCW provides communications facilities to deployed units of the RAF

History

TCW's roots can be traced back to 1962, and the forming of 38 Group Support Unit, based at RAF Odiham. It was then quickly realised that communications played a large part in supporting operations.

In 1965 No. 50 Tactical Signals Unit was formed at RAF Tangmere and as it grew in size was renamed, in 1967 to 38 Group Tactical Signals Wing then again in 1969 to its current name, Tactical Communications Wing.

TCW has played its part in many operational theatres worldwide, including providing communications and meteorological services in the Falklands War, [11] both Gulf Wars, Operation Granby, Operation Jenna, Operation Haven, Operation Jural, Operation Barras, Operation Phylis, Sarajevo, Nepal, Northern Ireland, Turkey, Angola, Rwanda, Operation Warden, Operation Jural, Operation Veritas and Operation Herrick. [12]

During Operation Telic TCW provided vital communications infrastructure in support of air operations. [13]

Motto and badge

TCW's motto is "Ubique Loquimur" which translates to "We Speak Everywhere" which was taken from No. 38 Group Tactical Communications Wing badge. [14]

Until the amalgamation with 90 Signals Unit in 2006, TCW personnel could be distinguished by both their rank slides, embroidered with the letters 'TCW' and the Wing badge (the rock dove with lightning bolt). Upon amalgamation, the latter was replaced with that of 90 Signals Unit.

90SU and TCW Royal Air Forces Association Branch and Memorial

Memorial to all who have died on active service whilst being part of either Tactical Communications Wing (TCW) or 90 Signals Unit (90 SU). 90 SU Memorial.jpg
Memorial to all who have died on active service whilst being part of either Tactical Communications Wing (TCW) or 90 Signals Unit (90 SU).

Formed on 1 April 2010, the Branch was created to promote the relevance and aims of RAFA and also to be a focal point for current and ex-serving members of the Unit. To develop further the friendships and Morale they experienced whilst serving with the Unit.[ citation needed ]

Being the first virtual Branch of RAFA, this initiative paved the way for similar Branches to be formed within the Association. It created a new method of promoting RAFA and demonstrating that it has as much relevance today as the day it was formed.[ citation needed ]

The Branch is also the first to have its own website [15] and this initiative also helps to promote the Association in a way that has previously not been possible.[ citation needed ]

The RAFA Branch will ensure that the Unit Memorial, dedicated in 2008, and located at the National Memorial Arboretum will stand as a permanent reminder to those who lost their lives whilst serving in the Royal Air Force.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Digby</span>

Royal Air Force Digby otherwise known as RAF Digby is a Royal Air Force station located near Scopwick and 11.6 mi (18.7 km) south east of Lincoln, in Lincolnshire, England. The station is home to the tri-service Joint Service Signals Organisation, part of the Joint Forces Intelligence Group of Joint Forces Command. Other units include the RAF Aerial Erector School, No. 54 Signals Unit and No. 591 Signals Unit.

A group is a military unit or a military formation that is most often associated with military aviation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Boulmer</span>

Royal Air Force Boulmer or RAF Boulmer is a Royal Air Force station near Alnwick in Northumberland, England, and is home to Aerospace Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) Force Command, Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) Boulmer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Oakhanger</span>

RAF Oakhanger is a Royal Air Force station in Hampshire split over three operational sites; with accommodation in nearby Bordon. The main site and operations centre is located near the village of Oakhanger, the two other sites being nearby. The parent station for administrative purposes was RAF Odiham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force Police</span> About the Royal Air Force police service

The Royal Air Force Police (RAFP) is the service police branch of the Royal Air Force, headed by the provost marshal of the Royal Air Force. Its headquarters are at RAF Honington and it deploys throughout the world to support RAF and UK defence missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">501st Combat Support Wing</span> Military unit

The 501st Combat Support Wing is an administrative support wing of the United States Air Force, based at RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom. It is one of three wings located in the United Kingdom as components of the Third Air Force and United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA).

The Tactical Police Squadron (TPS) is a group of around 150 regular and 50 reservist (RAuxAF) Royal Air Force Police with its headquarters at RAF Honington in Suffolk, England. The reservists comprise No 3 Police Squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">482nd Fighter Wing</span> Military unit

The 482nd Fighter Wing is an Air Reserve Component (ARC) unit of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Tenth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), stationed at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida. If mobilized to active duty, the 482 FW is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command (ACC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air and Space Warfare Centre</span> Air Space Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, England

The Air and Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) is a Royal Air Force research and testing organisation based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. It has a training branch nearby as a lodger unit of RAF Cranwell and other branches elsewhere, including at RAF High Wycombe, RAF Brize Norton, MoD Boscombe Down, and RAF Odiham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 87 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 87 Squadron RAF was an aircraft squadron of the Royal Air Force during the First World War and Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">269th Combat Communications Squadron</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's 269th Combat Communications Squadron is an Ohio Air National Guard combat communications unit located at Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">442nd Operations Group</span> Military unit

The 442d Operations Group is an active United States Air Force Reserve unit. It is the flying component of the Tenth Air Force 442d Fighter Wing, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

No. 38 Group RAF was a group of the Royal Air Force which disbanded on 31 December 2020. It was formed on 6 November 1943 from the former 38 Wing with nine squadrons as part of Transport Command. It was disbanded on 31 January 1951, but re-formed on 1 January 1960, became part of RAF Air Support Command in 1967 and then, in 1972, the air support group within RAF Strike Command. It was temporarily disbanded from 18 Nov 1983 to 31 Oct 1992 and from 1 April 2000 to 1 July 2014. It subsequently became part of RAF Air Command, bringing together the Royal Air Force’s Engineering, Logistics, Communications and Medical Operations units. Air Officer Commanding No. 38 Group was also responsible for UK-based United States Visiting Forces (USVF) units and for RAF personnel attached to other global armed forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sembach Kaserne</span>

Sembach Kaserne is a United States Army post in Donnersbergkreis, Germany, near Kaiserslautern, and is about 19 miles (30 km) east of Ramstein Air Base. Prior to 2010, the installation was a United States Air Force installation and prior to 1995 it was a U.S. military airfield known as Sembach Air Base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">601st Tactical Control Wing</span> Military unit

The 601st Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force organization. It was last active as the 601st Air Base Wing with the Seventeenth Air Force at Sembach Air Base, Germany, where it was inactivated on 31 March 1995.

Second Allied Tactical Air Force was a NATO military formation under Allied Air Forces Central Europe tasked with providing air support to NATO's Northern Army Group (NORTHAG). 2 ATAF commanded all flying units based within its sector and all reinforcements flying into its sector, as well as ground-based radar systems and stations, air defense units and the airfields in its sector.

This is the Operation Granby order of battle. Operation Granby was the name given to the British Armed Forces deployment to the Middle East after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 and subsequent operations during the 1991 Gulf War.

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 1 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing RAF</span> Wing of the Royal Air Force

No. 1 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing is a wing of the Royal Air Force and is part of the ISTAR Force in No. 1 Group based at RAF Waddington. 1 ISR Wing is responsible for producing intelligence from imagery intelligence and electronic surveillance.

References

  1. ↑ "90 Signals Unit Crest" . Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  2. ↑ "Air Ministry: Headquarters No. 90 (Signals) Group, later Signals Command: Reports and Papers". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  3. ↑ Sterling, Christopher (2008). Military communications from ancient times to the 21st century (1 ed.). Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO. pp.  471–473. ISBN   978-1-85109-737-1.
  4. ↑ "RAF - History - 90 Signals Unit Historical Information". www.raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  5. ↑ Delay to A6 Hub announced in HANSARD, 8 May 2007
  6. ↑ 90 Signals Unit - TCW Organisational Structure
  7. ↑ "RAF - History - 90 Signals Unit Crest". www.raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  8. ↑ Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p.  7. ISBN   0-7100-9339-X.
  9. 1 2 "90 Signals Unit - About us" . Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  10. ↑ "RAF - Senior Appointments" . Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  11. ↑ Battle For The Falklands by Roy Braybrook
  12. ↑ Royal Air Force History - The Tactical Communications Wing
  13. ↑ Operations - Ground Support Archived 13 May 2005 at the UK Government Web Archive
  14. ↑ Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p.  240. ISBN   0-7100-9339-X.
  15. ↑ "TCW & 90SU" . Retrieved 19 April 2014.
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.