44 Mobile Air Movements Sqn

45 Mobile Air Movements Sqn

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UKMAMS becomes 1 Air Movements Wing

The most visible change is what is happening at UKMAMS. The alteration of the Sqn structure to form 1 Air Mobility Wing (1 AMW) has to a great extent, but not entirely, been brought about by the Review. This is why the restructuring started before we had the authorisation to go public with the final report. You will now be aware that there is no longer a MAMF or BAMF, but now 44, 45 and HQ Sqns. They have been reorganised in this way to provide command and control of the personnel supporting the enlarged Formed Unit DWR commitment and to continue to support the enduring exercise and route tasking. 
 

UKMAMS

The United Kingdom Mobile Air Movements Squadron (UKMAMS) was formed at RAF Abingdon in 1966 as the RAF's UK based mobile movements capability. Following the draw down of the RAF's fixed presence overseas in the early 70s, the Sqn's remit increased to include all of the residual movements tasks at world-wide locations other than those where RAF Stations with established Movements Squadrons existed. In 1974, UKMAMS relocated from Abingdon to RAF Lyneham and amalgamated with the existing Station movements squadron to provide a dual Base and Mobile capability. The Sqn's remit has remained unchanged to this day, that is: to load and unload freight and personnel to and from transport aircraft whenever and wherever tasked. To meet this remit the Sqn supports RAF Lyneham 24 hours per day every day of the year, and has a fully airmobile, field-equipped capability, held on 90 minutes notice for world-wide deployment. The Squadron is commanded by a Supply Branch (Movements qualified) wing commander and is split into 3 flights: Base Air Movements Flight, Mobile Air Movements Flight and Support, Standards and Training Flight.

The Base Air Movements Flight (BAMF) handles all aircraft operating into and out of RAF Lyneham which, in the main, means the RAF's Hercules Wing. During an average month this involves some 340 outbound and inbound flights carrying more than 4200 passengers and 1050 tonnes of freight. Commanded by a Sqn Ldr, BAMF is divided into 3 sections: Base operations, commanded by the Base Ops Officer, which oversees all aircraft load and passenger planning; 4 duty shifts, each commanded by a Duty Air Movements Officer, which are responsible for passenger processing and aircraft loading and unloading and an Air Cargo Section, commanded by a junior officer, which processes all inbound and outbound freight and handles all of the movements requirements for visiting foreign aircraft. This Flight also has a section comprising 1 Officer, 1 FS, 2 Sgts and 4 Cpls detached to 29 Regt RLC, South Cerney, to provide specialist air movements advice to HQ Land's Joint Air Mounting Centre. 

Loading a Scorpion tank onto a Hercules at RAF Lyneham. A Landrover has already been loaded at the front of the cargo hold. These vehicles will be offloaded during a Tactical Airland Operation in support of 16 Air Assault Brigade

Mobile Air Movements Flight (MAMF) is tasked directly by HQ 2 Group and has, until recently, 15 x 6 man mobile teams, composed of Trade Group 18 (Movements) tradesmen, each led by a junior Supply Branch (Movements) officer. The team size and structure has proved time and again to be successful and allows for ready augmentation thereby offering both operational flexibility and capability. The flight now has 9 x 10 man teams, that are tasked world-wide to wherever the UK needs military air movements support but no permanent RAF Movements presence or handling agreement exists. This includes providing an initial movements presence at forward airheads and strips within an operational theatre, typically in support of the JRRF or expeditionary forces, as well as directly supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade Tactical Airland Operations. Mobile teams are capable of handling all UK and foreign military air transport aircraft, as well as MOD civilian charter aircraft. Tasking is received direct from HQ 2 Gp and actioned through the Sqn HQ Mobile Ops Room. Additionally, MAMF has personnel permanently detached to the Special Forces to provide specialist movements support and advice for their operations and exercises. Good communications is essential for successful world-wide operations and MAMF has recently upgraded all of its communications equipment to ensure that teams can always send and receive movements information.

Landrover and troops deplane during a TALO. A MAMS team member is kneeling on the left of the photo.

Finally, the Support, Standards and Training Flight (SSTF), commanded by junior officer, supports BAMF and MAMF by providing and repairing Sqn equipment, and training their personnel through a variety of formally approved courses. To do this, SSTF has its own deployable engineering, MT and supply staffs. The training section ensures that all elements of the Squadron are fully trained to meet their commitments, including field training, and regularly examines all of these capabilities. Although the raison d'être of UKMAMS has remained constant, SSTF monitors internal standards and leads on the continuous review process which ensures that the Sqn is correctly trained and resourced to support effectively the UK's evolving Defence logistics commitments.

LIFE ON 1 AMW Oct – Dec 06. 

It has been a very busy three months. The transition from UKMAMS to 1 AMW is now well underway. The Force Readiness cycle started in earnest on 1 Oct 06, with A Flt deploying to Op TELIC for the first  6 week rotation. The new system is working well. 

We’ve put in place measures to enhance the robustness of our residual ‘base’ operation which had taken a bit of a back-seat during the transition towards a more deployable structure. We’ve also modified our organic training arrangements to get on top of the training back-log. We’ve also introduced a short course aimed at rectifying ‘skills fade’.   

The key project at present is securing additional manpower so that we can (1) discharge our current activities without adversely  effecting  on the Defence Exercise Proigramme and (2) ramp up to take on the Op HERRICK task next year. 

Given that there’s no likelihood of an increase in the size of the Trade, we’re only going to get more manpower into the Wg by transferring personnel from elsewhere or by increasing contractorisation of some UK–based activity. Painful options, I know, but needs must… 

On a lighter note, 1 AMW finished 2^nd overall in the CO’s Cup. The ladies team won their competition and the men’s team finished 2^nd. Congratulations to Cpl Maria Smith, 1 AMW Admin,  who deservedly was voted Sports Personality of the Year. 

Other points of interest are the advent of the Operational Allowance (which has begun to filter its way into bank accounts) and the progress of Project CATARA. With regard to the latter, the plan is that most Lyneham units will move to Brize Norton between 2009 and 2012. BZZ will host 4000 personnel and over 60 ac including A400M and new tankers. 

There are plans to build 800 quarters and 600 single rooms in SLAM accommodation at Brize.There are no definitive plans for Lye after the move but Stn Cdr will keep us briefed. As for 1 AMW, Brize Norton still looks to be or likely location but HQ STC are reviewing other options before a final decision is made, hopefully some time next year. Watch this space !