RAF - Royal Air Force
A 'behind the wire' view of the Royal Air Force, its people, technology and operations. Official podcast of the RAF in the UK.
Imagine a world where you can carry out your RAF career management on your phone! That world is coming with the RAF Career Management Nexus. Air Commodore Nick Brittain is the Assistant Chief of Staff for Career Management and is overseeing the project and other areas. He tells Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney about the changes. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
The world-famous Isle of Man TT Races have just finished for 2023 and Brize Norton-based Cpl Michael 'Jack' Russell was back with a record in mind - to complete all 10 events. Join InsideAIR as we track Jack's efforts over the two weeks, take a trip around part of the famous course together, go onto the grid with him and hear the thoughts of TT legend (and 23 times TT winner), John McGuinness on Jack's record attempt. Flt Lt Chris Sully has the story. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, is approaching the end of his 4-years leading the Royal Air Force It's certainly been a full-on time with many challenges, successes and frustrations as he told Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
Agile Combat Employment (ACE) is bringing a big change to RAF mindsets and working practices. It's all about a state of readiness and resilience. Air Marshal Harv Smyth, the Deputy Commander Operations for the Royal Air Force, explains what it means for us all. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
King Charles III is now the Commander-in-Chief of the UK Armed Forces, but he started his military career earning his pilot wings in the Royal Air Force. InsideAIR meets two of his flying instructors and goes for a flight in The Royal Chipmunk WP903, the aircraft in which the young Prince Charles learnt to fly. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
How is the RAF dealing with the risks and threats posed by drones in an increasingly congested airspace? InsideAIR explores drone near misses, air safety and the future of working with UAV's or uncrewed air systems in Defence. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
In 2022, the RAF started its transition from Trades and Branches to Professions. Almost a year on, InsideAIR met with team members from the Defence College of Air and Space Operations to find out how the transition was working within the Air and Space Ops Profession and what it means for current and future controllers and operators. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
Leadership is a core element of RAF training, but can you really make a leader out of anyone? InsideAIR put this question to Air Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Deputy Commander Capability and Warrant Officer Mark Willis from the Tedder Academy of Leadership. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
In episode 35 we looked at the work of the Operational Training Centre that prepares the RAF's Expeditionary Air Wings for operations globally. A year on, the OTC has a new boss, it has adapted to changing threats and is now looking to grow its team of permanent staff and part time evaluators. InsideAIR's AS1 Emma Kirwan went back to RAF Leeming to pick up the story. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
From providing confidential help and support, to lobbying government, the RAF Families Federation is committed to improving the quality of life for the whole RAF Family. Meet some of the RAF Families Federation team and hear how they've helped with a huge range of issues around the forces world. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
Through her roles with the RAF, NATO and Strategic Command, Warrant Officer Sara Catterall MBE has worked with people from many different nations. She passionately believes that we become stronger when we embrace our cultural differences and take the time to learn from one another. When the pressure of leadership mounts and imposter syndrome sets in, Sara explains, the best thing you can do is be your authentic self. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
Force Protection has evolved. The RAF Police now comes under Air Security Force and the RAF Regiment now comes under Combat and Readiness Force. Why were the changes needed, what does it mean for personnel, and how will these two forces fit into the new RAF powerhouse that is Global Enablement? InsideAIR spoke with Air Commodore Jamie Thompson to find the answers. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
Former combat helicopter pilot and Squadron Leader, Sarah Furness, has translated the lessons she learned under fire into military-grade mindfulness strategies for improved self-leadership. Sarah explains that performing under pressure isn't an instinct, it's a skill, and we can train our minds to cope in stressful situations at home, at work or at war. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
As InsideAIR reaches its second birthday, we asked our correspondent AS1 Emma Kirwan to tell us your top ten favourite episodes of 2022 based on number of downloads in the first seven-days from release. There's a real variety of stories and one or two surprises too. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
Home nation involvement on the pitch may have come to an end on Saturday, when England followed Wales to the departure gate at Doha Airport, but the UK still has a significant part to play in this year's FIFA World Cup. RAF Coningsby based 12 Squadron are working alongside their Qatari collegues in support of air security operations as part of the massive global event. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
Parenting can be a challenge at the best of times, but what's it like to become a parent whilst serving in the RAF? Flt Lt Amy Casey talks to Adrienne Burgess, joint CEO & Head of Research at The Fatherhood Institute, and Wing Cdr David Lewis, SO1 Employment Policy, about the challenges of becoming a parent and what support the RAF offers to new parents and their partners. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
RAF Astra is all about delivering the Next Generation Royal Air Force. This week on InsideAIR, we go backstage at the Astra Awards to meet the inspirational people bringing innovative ideas to life. From using Virtual Reality for training to providing dog fostering services for deployed personnel, the Awards celebrate the achievements of the whole force and the impact they're having on operations in the UK and overseas. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
On Remembrance Day in the UK, serving personnel and veterans might reflect on their time on operations, but is it any different for RAF aviators who are on ops right now? Our guest correspondent Flight Lieutenant Chris Warr spoke to members of 83 Expeditionary Air Group (EAG) in the Middle East to find out. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
The RAF Police's Project Blueprint uses mobile tech to rapidly respond to any situation, streamline admin processes, go paperless and help secure better outcomes for victims of crime. InsideAIR found out how Blueprint works and the difference it's making. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.
Exercises are crucial to ensuring combat readiness and strengthening relationships between partner and allied nations. Last month 6 Squadron, a frontline Typhoon squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth, and an RAF Brize Norton based Voyager aircraft from 101 Squadron, flew to Australia's Northern Territory to participate in Exercise PITCH BLACK. Our correspondent AS1 Victoria Andrews was on the detachment and brings you this report. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.