ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE I 100 th ANNIVERSARY
JSSU ( R ) has a tri-service command structure , with three subordinate squadrons commanded in turn by officers from the Royal Signals , Royal Navy , and RAuxAF , serving under the overall command of a Lieutenant Colonel from the Intelligence Corps .
RAuxAF personnel now comprise around 25 % of the unit , with a strong recruitment pipeline which is , for the first time , recruiting civilians rather than purely ex-regular personnel . In addition , links to the RAF were strengthened in October 2010 when Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach , pictured right wearing the JSSU ( V ) badge , was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Unit , a position he held until 2015 , when he was succeeded in this role by Sir Jeremy Fleming , Director of the Government Communications Headquarters .
As of July 2023 , JSSU ( R ) had grown in size and reach , with personnel based across multiple operational locations both in the UK and overseas . It has moved from a traditional model of Reservist training to one of “ Operate to Train ”, where the unit develops professional skills through the conduct of live operational tasking during Reservist weekends .
Covesea Flight , Royal Air Force Lossiemouth
In 2017 , as part of the initiative to apply more flexibility in the employment of Reserves , COS Pers approved a 2-year trial of the Base Support Group ( BSG ) concept involving RAF Lossiemouth , Boulmer , Cranwell and Honington . Whist the RAuxAF exists to augment the RAF on operational tasks worldwide , predominantly through mobilised service , there was a clear need for more routine workforce to support in the home base to mitigate manning shortfalls or to meet a surge requirement . This arrangement was to provide a flexible ‘ pool ’ of Voluntary Ex-Regular Reserves ( VERRS ) who could enter into a voluntary engagement , with no enforceable commitment either way .
From its inception , RAF Lossiemouth ’ s Fulmar Flight , BSG , continued to grow with over 80 personnel attested into the RAFR under VeRR Terms and Conditions of Service ( TCoS ). By 2019 , Fulmar Flight had changed its name to Maitland Flight . In September 2020 , RAF Lossiemouth ’ s 602 ( Glasgow ) Sqn ’ s Moray Flight was created to formally bring together the BSG personnel from Maitland Flight and the Part-Time Volunteer Reserves ( PTVRs ) of No 602 ( Glasgow ) Sqn , RAuxAF , into a single entity under the direct control of RAF Lossiemouth .
Squadron Leader John Ryder , the first PTVR pilot to fly the Poseidon aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth
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The new Flight was to provide a flexible Reservist workforce option to meet the Station ’ s needs and to add resilience . Although initially a trial combination of PTVR and VERRS personnel in support of RAF Lossiemouth , Covesea Flight has proved highly successful , despite having no full- time staff , and is the first reserve hybrid flight of the Reserve Air Force . The establishment of Covesea Flt continues to grow a broader portfolio of Reservist capabilities in support of Defence priorities at RAF Lossiemouth and across the UK and in line with growth anticipated through Reserves Optimisation . Combining the VERRS and PTVR capabilities under a single establishment is an initiative that optimises availability and output and reflects the significance of the Reserves Whole Force contribution .
Covesea Flight personnel provide daily output to all areas at RAF Lossiemouth , including 3 PTVR personnel supporting the ISTAR HQ in flying roles . The Flight also continues to have personnel deployed all over the world , which includes support to : Ex Freedom Shield , Korea , 903 EAW OP SHADER , Cyprus , Ex Red Flag , Nellis Air Force Base , USA , Ex Joint Warrior , Norway , Ex RIMPAC , Hawaii , and Ex BERSAMA LIMA , Singapore .
As Covesea Flight moves towards fulfilling its aspiration
Wing Commander David Caddick , BSG VERRS mobilised to support Ex FREEDOM SHEILD , Korea
with the reformation of No 666 Squadron , which would formally establish a hybrid reserve formation specifically aligned to support RAF Lossiemouth in delivering against Defence Tasks at home and overseas using only trained ex-regular personnel , thereby improving the immediate deployment and effectiveness of SQEP across all professions , both in the air and on the ground .
Squadron identity would not only encapsulate the character and distinctiveness of the unit , but it would also provide recognition on station , and more widely , of the vital contribution it makes in support of RAF Lossiemouth ’ s mission and Defence . It would highlight the status of a unit and the trust placed in it , which grants parity and credibility with sister RAuxAF Sqns . Most of all , it would enhance the morale , pride , and professionalism of those privileged to serve within it , in supporting others .