ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE I 100 th ANNIVERSARY
In January 1991 the entire Sqn was mobilised for Operation GRANBY ( First Gulf War ) and personnel were deployed to Air Movements Sqns based at RAF Brize Norton , RAF Lyneham , and RAF Akrotiri . They also provided re-force to the United Kingdom Mobile Air Movements Sqn and HQ RAF Germany .
Following Operation GRANBY a number of mobilised Sqn personnel assisted with Operation PROVIDE COMFORT , a humanitarian mission in the Balkans . 4624 Sqn personnel went on to further support Operations GRAPPLE ( 1993 - 1996 ), LOADSTAR ( 1996 ), PALLATINE ( 1998 ), AGRICOLA ( 1999 ), ENGADINE ( 1999 ), PALLISER ( 2000 ), VERITAS ( 2001 ) and FINGAL ( 2002 ).
In 2002 the Sqn provided personnel to support the RAF Movements Trade on Operation HERRICK in Afghanistan and this continued until the UK ’ s commitment to that operation ended in 2014 .
In 2003 the entire Sqn was again mobilised to support the UK ’ s contribution to the coalition effort to liberate Iraq as part of Operation TELIC . Personnel were utilised at RAF Brize Norton , RAF Lyneham , RAF Akrotiri and DCTA Bicester while some deployed to Basra and Um Qasr in Iraq .
In 2011 Sqn personnel were used on Operation ELLAMY , the UK ’ s military intervention in Libya , and since 2015 has mobilised personnel to support Operation SHADER which is the UK contribution to the coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria . In late 2017 a large number of Sqn personnel were involved in Op RUMAN , supporting Caribbean humanitarian aide operations . The Sqn responded immediately to a request to support the Air Movements Sqn and their substantial involvement ensured that RAF Brize Norton was able to meet its sustained Logistical commitments over an extremely busy period of Air Transport operations , gaining the Sqn direct praise from the Chief of the Air Staff . Demonstrating their wider more specialist Mobility capability , in 2018 Sqn personnel supported the RAF Air Policing role in Romania on Op BILOXI and in 2019 supported the Joint Helicopter Force in NW Africa on Op NEWCOMBE .
In 2020 the COVID pandemic resulted in the first massmobilisation of squadron personnel for 20 years . 30 aviators were mobilised simultaneously for the COVID Support Force and to maintain enduring operations , which continued under extremely demanding conditions . Deployed as a
Mobile Testing Unit for the home Counties , Sqn personnel delivered 1000 ’ s of tests to the public , helping to keep the Nation safe and providing much needed reassurance . In August 2021 , with just 48 hours ’ notice , the Sqn supported the surge deployment of British Forces for Op PITTING , the evacuation of Entitled Persons ( EPs ) from Kabul , Afghanistan .
More recently , 35 personnel played a significant role at both RAF Brize Norton and RAF Akrotiri during Op POLAR BEAR , the evacuation of EPs from Sudan . Fortuitously , 13 personnel from A Flt had just arrived in Cyprus for two weeks of Annual Continuous Training , which became the hub for evacuation flights . Working 12 hr shifts , personnel received and subsequently forward deployed the Joint Force to Sudan . A team also deployed to Larnaca International Airport where they received over 2000 EPs and assisted FCDO officials with their on-move to the UK .
Sqn personnel also frequently participate wider activities including adventure training , personal development , and ceremonial duties . Recent commitments have included the Coronation of King Charles III , the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the Freedom of Oxfordshire parade . All of this is in addition to the Sqns enduring support to Op SHADER in Cyprus and the security of the Falkland Islands .
4624 Sqn is one of the most heavily utilised within the RAuxAF . It not only supports the Regular Force on operations but also provides around 1300 days per year of routine support to the RAF Movements Profession . This includes providing additional aviators to the RAF Brize Norton Air Movements Sqn , integrating personnel with 1 Air Mobility Wing teams who operate worldwide delivering the Defence Activity Programme and assisting Mobility Support Flights to deploy their stations flying sqns . However , we should never forget that none of this would be possible without the commitment of the Sqn ’ s reservist personnel and the support they receive from their families and employers . As long as that remains 4624 Sqn will always be ‘ Ready to Move ’.
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