Wiltshire Skies Blazed with Fat Albert
23rd February 2004
TEN Hercules C130 aircraft from Royal Air Force Lyneham, the workhorse unit of the Royal Air Force, were in action today as they combined forces with 16 Air Assault Brigade to exercise the dropping of large numbers of troops and stores.

RAF Lyneham's Station Commander, Group Captain Paul Oborn said "There is no substitute for practice - if the day comes that we have to do this for real we will be able to rely on the experiences gained and lessons learned from today's rehearsal over Salisbury Plain."

16 Air Assault Brigade, formed on 1 September 1999 from an amalgamation of 24 Airmobile and 5 Airborne Brigades, have a requirement to maintain high standards of readiness in all aspects of their role. One of these is the ability to insert the airborne task force by air into hostile territory, which strengthens the combat potential of our Armed Forces.

In order to achieve this, the RAF provide aircraft and experienced crews to deliver the troops at the range or dropzone and on time. An important part of the exercise is co-ordinating the preparation of the aircraft. Over 10 Hercules aircraft were geared up, involving extensive role changes to the airdrop fit, refuelling and preparing the ageing Hercules for flight. Much effort has gone into planning the airborne exercise.

The exercise is an all-round team effort, involving most sections on the station. The Wiltshire active airbase, which is earmarked for closure by 2012, has once again proved its true value in RAF air transport operations.

Most of the base have been involved at some stage, from the caterers who will feed the soldiers before they fly, to the technicians who ensure the aircraft are serviceable and the aircrew planning the airborne drop. Many gallons of midnight oil gets burnt in the overall preparation.

The formation commander, Officer Commanding LXX Sqn, Wing Commander John Reid, has undertaken much of the preparation of this exercise and has said "We plan to deliver 792 troops onto Salisbury Plain this afternoon, which is the largest number of paratroops we've dropped for many years.

The Corporate Communications Officer at RAF Lyneham, was lucky enough to be in the 8th aircraft for the airdrop and found it incredibly exciting!

"I got tingles down my spine just before take-off when we were all lined up on the runway and I could see and hear the other aircraft in front, engines roaring as they climbed up to join formation. I imagined that this is what bomber pilots during the war saw as they lined up to head off on a mission. It was exhilarating but thought provoking at the same time."

She continues "I was also really impressed with the troops inside the aircraft. They were packed in like sardines, all wearing their parachutes, and as we got nearer the drop zone they had to stand up to do and put their Bergens on as well."

"They must have been carrying about 150kg each. They then shuffled into line waiting for the green light, and "Go!" out they went, one every couple of seconds into the dusk over Salisbury Plain. They have my utmost respect."

An eye witnesses on the ground, Mr John Fryer, aged 72, who saw the drop over Salisbury Plain, said, "I could not believe that so many troops and equipment could be dropped in such a small space of time. It certainly brings back memories of my service life. It was good to see the Hercules proving their value in the RAF."