Halton From The Air

Station News HALTON FROM THE AIR

Cpl Ed Wright, Photo ACSSU

The Photographic Air Combat Service Support unit (Photo ACSSU) is a Supported Unit based at RAF Halton. Staffed by 11 members of Trade Group 14 ranging from Flight Sergeant to Air Specialist (Class 1), it provides high-readiness specialist photo and video support to single Service and joint media operations. The Photo ACSSU plays a vital role in showcasing the projection of Air Power and the operation of the RAF domestically and overseas. Personnel within the unit regularly deploy within the UK and overseas in support of RAF operations & exercises. Some recent

examples of this include Op PITTING, Ex RED FLAG ALASKA, Ex PITCH BLACK (Australia), Op LONDON BRIDGE, Project THARIYAT & Op SHADOWFOOT.

The Photo ACSSU also operates a remotely piloted air system (RPAS) capability. RPAS operators are trained to Military Aviation Authority (MAA) & Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) standards. All TG14 RPAS operators undertake the Air 440 course, hosted by 700X Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose. This 5-day course trains and enables

all personnel to operate safely within the Defence air environment. Students learn about basic flight principles, understanding weather conditions, mission planning and task debriefing.

They then learn to fly the RPAS in a controlled environment whilst carrying out simulated tasks. A newly introduced course at the Defence School of Photography then takes students through more advanced filming and piloting techniques relevant to tasks they’re likely to carry out in the real world.

The drone capability has proved itself time and time again since being introduced into service, and RAF Halton has benefited from it on numerous occasions for multiple purposes. Examples of this include survey work being carried out on behalf of Amey (now VINCI), historical image gathering of the Recruit Training Squadron site and ecology surveys on the Initial Force Protection Training hangar. Outside of Halton, the RPAS’ have been used to generate video footage for use in media products. An RPAS is a vital asset in TG14’s toolkit as it allows access to areas often too difficult or dangerous for a person to reach. For example, the RAF Cosford gymnasium roof required a survey in 2021, and contractors estimated that scaffolding alone would have cost over £30,000 to erect. Photo ACSSU & Defence School of Photography personnel gained all necessary permissions to fly an RPAS in the Cosford

airspace and gathered imagery for this task at no additional cost to Defence.

Looking to the future, the RPAS capability will be evolved and utilised in new ways. New platforms are currently being trialled which will increase efficiency of certain tasks whilst being easier to operate. Also, being approved to fly in UK Overseas Territories like Cyprus & the Falkland Islands will help to promote RAF & Defence activity.