41 SQN

A BUSY FEW MONTHS FOR 41 SQN WITH LOTS OF CHANGE.

More specifically at the helm. We say goodbye and congratulations to OC 41 Sqn Wg Cdr Lee “Flash” Gordon. “Flash” has deservedly been promoted to Group Captain and posted to Air Cmd where we wish him all the best. We welcome his replacement Wg Cdr Atila “Tils” Batu, posted in from the Air & Space Warfare Centre.

Wg Cdr Batu has flown numerous combat air systems, including the Tornado F3, F-16 with USAF, F-35 and now Typhoon. We would also like to welcome Cpl Jo Avison posted to us from Cyprus and AS1 Javin Miltra from Coningsby Tower. Welcome all to 41 Sqn!

We would like to offer a huge congratulations to WO Peter Hale, who celebrated his 100th Birthday this year! Mr Hale joined the Air Force during the Second World War in June 1941 at the age of 18 and served on the Sqn between 1944-1945 flying many missions in the Supermarine Spitfire during his time. As a token of our gratitude and appreciation, 41 Sqn presented Mr Hale with a specially signed print for his birthday, complete with a unique 41 Sqn name patch.

Congratulations again Mr Hale, from all of us here at 41.

41 Sqn took part in Ex ATLANTIC THUNDER 22 which was a joint UK and US maritime anti-surface warfare exercise, which involved dropping live weapons against a decommissioned warship. This was the first time a Typhoon had dropped weapons against a maritime surface vessel. This enabled us to produce and refine tactics and procedures against maritime targets. The Sqn was able to use the new Litening V targeting pod and gained valuable data in its use in real-world detonation events. This was also the first time Typhoon had worked with the Royal Navy’s Wildcat helicopter, who provided targeting information during the exercise.

Overall, Atlantic Thunder 22 presented a unique opportunity to release live weapons against a large surface target within the UK. 41 Sqn was able to conduct test points and capture data for several trials that span upgrades to Typhoon software, sensors and targeting systems, particularly the Litening V.

Additionally, the attack profiles flown provided evidence to assess the development of new tactics and procedures. These were designed to demonstrate how Typhoon could be employed in future maritime operations, specifically using 3rd party targeting and operations with the Royal Navy. The Sqn gained so much benefit from Ex ATLANTIC THUNDER, working with both the US and Royal Navy forces. We look forward with anticipation for future iterations of this exercise, allowing future weapon development for the Typhoon Force against operationally relevant targets.

It was also time for reflection and a time to pay our respects to five members of 41 Sqn who tragically lost their lives in a coach accident in West Germany on 21 May 1983. As a mark of respect, 41 Sqn conducted a pairs flypast over RAF Coltishall in their memory. ‘LEST WE FORGET’.

Until next time… ‘Seek and Destroy’.