12 SQN

THROUGHOUT THE PAST THREE MONTHS PREPARATIONS HAVE BEEN INTENSIFYING FOR 12 SQN’S WINTER DEPLOYMENT TO QATAR, AND FOR THE QATAR EMIRI AIR FORCE’S (QEAF) STANDING UP OF THEIR OWN TYPHOON WING.

In August, 12 Sqn celebrated with its industry partners at the RAF Club the successes of the Qatari Typhoon Programme so far. It was an opportunity to bring together representatives of a myriad of organisations from across industry and the MoD who ordinarily are spread across the UK, but who have all contributed significantly to the Programme’s success. But it was also an opportunity to begin saying goodbye to the first cohorts of fully qualified Pilots and Engineers who would shortly be departing to continue preparations for their own Typhoons. The following week, an acceptance ceremony took place for Qatar’s first Typhoon aircraft which they subsequently trailed with support from a RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft back to their new home at Dukhan Air Base, Qatar.

As the Sqn parted with friends and colleagues, some of whom had been with the Sqn since its inception in 2018, the Sqn continued in its task to develop the skills of those remaining Engineers and Pilots of the QEAF. In the following month all remaining QEAF personnel completed their training to a level such that they can all safely and effectively contribute to the security of the FIFA World Cup. This magnitude of flying was all achieved alongside preparing the aircraft for being away from their home base for many months; all of which was supported by the widerTyphoon Force.

The Sqn has now travelled to Qatar to continue perfecting the skills of the QEAF Pilots as well as supporting and advising the standing up of their Typhoon Wing. In the coming weeks the Sqn will finalise preparations for it’s widely publicised and vital mission in supporting the security operation of the FIFA World Cup 2022. As one phase of 12 Sqn’s relationship with the QEAF has come to an end, the next has seamlessly begun. The Sqn is proud to be able to contribute to and is ready for what the coming months will bring.