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

As 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 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

on Defence Connect, within minutes I receive e-mails from our PTVRs volunteering for the placement.

Last year our budget from JHC was able to provide funding for 4,440 Reserve Service Days (RSDs). When a PTVR is mobilised, there is separate funding stream from Air Cmd. At the end of Financial Year 20/21 our PTVRs had completed over 8,200 days comprised of mobilisations and RSDs (nearly twice our allocated RSDs). An impressive achievement and all delivered within Covid guidelines. This demonstrates the professional dedication and sense of worth our PTVRs have.

Utility comes in many forms, over the last year 606 Sqn delivered 35 mobilisations, 25 of which were for Op RESCRIPT. The other ten fulfilled the Sqn’s commitments to Ops TORAL, NEWCOMBE, SHADER, BFSAI (Falkland Islands) and several UK backfills. At the height of the pandemic, when units were stretched and suffering with high numbers of isolating personnel, 606 Sqn had over a third of its PTVRs committed to either mobilisations or RSDs. Utilising RSDs at RAF Benson we have been able to provide support to 28 Sqn, 33 Sqn, 230 Sqn, FP Training Flt, General Engineering Flt, Joint Helicopter Support Sqn, MT, Supply and Stn Ops.

Op RESCRIPT was by far the biggest area of activity over the past year, quickly mobilising 14 personnel to be at readiness to provide mobile testing. During the readiness period, we were able to support RAF Benson by utilising PTVRs who were mobilised and awaiting deployment.

For example, a stretched Puma Force Ops team were augmented by 606 ASOS who quickly embedded into the working cycles of the Ops team and 606 assistance to ATC proved so effective that, after engagement with Battlespace Management (BM) HQ, Reservist personnel were conducting roles in ATC previously out of scope. RAF Benson Logs Sqn, decimated by Op deployments and COVID isolations, were backfilled, resulting in several new and creative efficiency initiatives, such as multi-role activity to maximise the utility of available personnel.

606 Sqn personnel were so embedded into JHC activity, at one point, that the Op RESCRIPT aircraft deployment to Scotland was facilitated by Reservists commanding the ASOS and MT support concurrently. As the numbers of isolating personnel at RAF Benson grew, a welfare team was established to provide essential shopping, catering and support; 606 Personnel stepped in to manage and deliver the welfare capability.

Further Op RESCRIPT support consisted of providing Avn

Supporting Op RESCRIPT, Cpl Mark Jenkinson Reservist ASOS who is also a procurement specialist for a local authority and SAC Saleem Patel Reservist Logs (MT) is also an optician. Liaison Officers to SJC, delivering SME advice to Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA) planning, preventing a further reduction in aviators from the front-line Sqns. Ten of our RAF Regt personnel quickly mobilised to support II Sqn RAF Regt on Project ERASMUS. As the requirement reduced, these personnel were utilised for Station guard, augmenting the dwindling Guard Force before redeploying and joining other Reservists delivering mobile COVID testing. provided a 1400 tests/week facility. Set up in February and resourced entirely from 606 Sqn personnel, the site provided an assured delivery of testing that assisted JHC to maintain its commitment to Defence. Continued ownership, review and development by 606 of the capability ensured that at the end of the financial year, the Sqn handed over to RAF Regular personnel an efficient facility that received 2* HQ recognition for its productivity and efficient management.

During the summer months, 606 Sqn, supported by Reservists from RAF Brize Norton, established self-sufficient COVID testing teams operating throughout the South East of the Country. Delivering over 7500 tests across twelve locations. These teams were at the forefront of public interest at a very dynamic stage of the pandemic. All operated to a professional standard that demonstrated to the public the true value, ability and high quality of RAF Reserves, winning over many civilian customers and upholding the good name of the RAF during a very challenging time.

Recognising the COVID Testing experience within 606, JHC tasked the Sqn to plan, establish and deliver an Asymptomatic Testing Site at RAF Benson. Taking the lessons and processes learned, the Sqn Under Reserve Force 30 we can expect to continue to deliver utility in support of JHC and Air for many years to come. Indeed, I foresee an increase in demand from our PTVRs. My final thought - when you next encounter a LAC, SAC or a Cpl that looks somewhat older than you expect you will probably find that they are a PTVR from one of over 30 RAuxAF units spread across 21 RAF Stations within the UK.

If you require more information about Reserve Opportunities on 606 Sqn please contact: Sgt Phil Moses Moses, Philip. Moses730@mod.gov.uk or 01491 827231.

If you require more information about Reserve Support from 606 Sqn please contact: OC 606 Sqn, Sqn Ldr AR Bucknell, Andrew.Bucknell467@ mod.gov.uk or 01491 827230.