INNOVATION
WHO ARE 606 SQUADRON? There has been a significant changeover of personnel at Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) and RAF Benson during 2021. Written By: Flt Lt Pete Legg
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s the ‘not so-new’ Adjt on 606 (Chiltern) Sqn, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to provide a little insight and explain exactly who occupies the Waterfront of A-Hangar at RAF Benson and what we deliver to the JHC, the RAF and the Nation. We are 606 (Chiltern) Sqn, a Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) Sqn. Firstly, it is important to understand that we are not a lodger unit at RAF Benson; we are an integral part of Team Benson and one of the Station deliverables to JHC. As a Sqn we are available to provide support to all JHC units activities. We have a HQ Staff of 18, comprising of Regulars, Full
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Time Reserve Service (FTRS) and Additional Duties Contract (ADC) Service Personnel, who provide support to our >140 Part Time Volunteer Reserves (PTVR). Our PTVRs comprise of eight Trade Groups: Aero Space Operations Specialists (ASOS), Gen Tech (M), Gen Tech (E), Logs (Chef), Logs (MT), Logs (Support), PTI and RAF Regt. With an equally diverse range in ranks, from Sqn Ldr to Airman. Additionally, we have several Subject Matter Expert PTVR Officers who fill posts in both ground and flying appointments. Our PTVRs commit to a minimum of 27 days service per year, with many committing much more. We normally conduct training during the second full weekend of each calendar month, and we
support a plethora of exercises throughout the year. However, this is only the framework around which we base our activities; outside our routine training, 606 Sqn’s PTVRs would be better described as individual augmentees who provide much needed utility and support to JHC and Air Command. We have recently returned from a major deployment Ex AUTUMN KITE, 15-19 Sep 21, at Spadeadam as part of Ex COBRA WARRIOR. A highly successful deployment brought together just under 100 Service Personnel and involved 606 Sqn Reserves working with catering training staff from 504 Sqn and Reserves from 502 (Ulster) Sqn, Aldergrove (RAFP, Logs (MT), Logs (Chef)). Together we managed to
achieve significant collective training while demonstrating the individual capabilities that 606 Sqn can bring to a JHF deployment. Our PTVRs are an eclectic mix of people with ‘day jobs’ including airline pilot, airline cabin crew, bankers, barristers, Cabinet Office civil servant, chef, City workers (London Square Mile), consultants, fitness instructors, full-time mums, a garage owner, managing directors, police officers, scientists, a student, a teacher - you name an occupation and we probably have one! In my relatively short time on 606 Sqn I have been impressed greatly by the enthusiasm and motivation of our PTVRs. When I advertise tasks and mobilisation opportunities
