“ EACH ROLE IS VARIED , WHICH MEANS YOUR DAY GOES BY INCREDIBLY QUICKLY AND THE WORK I DO PROVIDES DIRECT SUPPORT TO FAST JET OPERATIONS ” |
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ON THE JOB CONTROL AND REPORTING CENTRE
ELLIOT
Elliot is an ASOS ( AS ) in the Control and Reporting Centre ( CRC ) at RAF Boulmer . He is trained in several different roles including Track Correlator ( TC ), Manual Input Operator ( MIO ) and Air Defence Notification Cell Operator ( ADNC Op ). “ After completing my Trade Training I was posted to RAF Boulmer to work in the CRC . The CRC itself is in an underground bunker , which is an impressive building and pretty cool to work in . Each role is varied , which means your day goes by incredibly quickly and the work I do provides direct
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support to fast jet operations , and allows the surveillance and weapons officers to do their jobs effectively . I assist in the compilation of the Recognised Air Picture . This is created from data provided by numerous radars across the country and shows every aircraft in the UK airspace . As a team we work 24 / 7 , 365 , monitoring any emergencies , lost communications , deviations from flight plan and , most importantly , any threat to the UK and NATO . This role also relies on one of my other jobs as an ADNC Op where I update Flight Plans and , if needs be , contact different Air Traffic Control agencies to investigate suspect aircraft behaviour . One of my most important roles is as an MIO which is crucial to maintaining CRC and fast jet |
situational awareness by sharing airfield weather information amongst the operations room . Furthermore , we process NOTAMs ( Notices to Airmen ) which include airspace booking times , heights , specific areas and other critical flight safety information . Now I have a lot of experience in my current job , I am looking to go on to complete various courses to enhance my trade knowledge and move on to other , more complex , roles which deal with Weapons Control , as well as Space and Surveillance . I volunteered to go to the Falklands for a 4-month detachment last year which once again was a great experience and exposure to a different environment . Whilst there I had a flight in a C130 and a Chinook doing low level maritime patrol as |
well as various trips to see the local wildlife . I have been in the RAF just under 4 years now and have already had some great experiences and seen some amazing places including Adventurous Training / Force Development exercises to France , Germany and Wales where I encountered klettersteig , canyoning , abseiling , mountain biking / walking and canoeing . I am an active guy who tries to make the most of the Gucci events that the RAF offers . There are so many things available , you just have to apply to do them . Training is given throughout , so beginners can do any of the above as well – believe me , I am no expert !” |
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