What’s Going on? May/June 25

May saw the Sqn’s involvement in Ex SWIFT RESPONSE. Located in Bardufoss, Norway, Swift Response is a large scale NATO Exercise. Working jointly with C17 crews the aim was to successfully deliver freight, equipment, high altitude para drops and low-level para drops over multiple days. The exercise consolidated previous training between aircraft types and enablers. Other flying exercises in May/June allowed several members of the Sqn the chance to drop the Maritime Modular Platform (MMP) in the UK as well as High Alt Para across in the US.

 Op HIGHMAST, The UK Carrier Strike Group continues to draw much of the MODs attention, supported by various elements at Brize Norton. A400 resupplies hopefully bringing morale to the crazy men and women that decided to spend several months on a boat (yes I know it’s called a ship)

 Several members from 30 Sqn had the tough job of travelling to Crete as part of Ex CRETAN PALM. This was part of the Island’s wider commemoration of the Battle of Crete. Sqn personnel had the opportunity to learn about the battle and more specifically 30 Sqns involvement. They attended several memorial events during the weekend, most notably a service at the 30 & 33 Sqn RAF Memorial at Maleme and the main ceremony at Souda Bay. The Souda Bay service was kicked off with a beautiful fly-past from a 30 Sqn crewed A400 – much lower, louder and impressive than the 9 small red jet aircraft that followed 2 minutes later. The Mediterranean May heat would have been described as pleasant, until Sqn pers were stood in the baking sun in their thick woollen No.1 uniform – less fun. Perhaps we can beg/borrow/steal some tropical uniform next year? 2026 will be the 85th Anniversary of the battle and the Sqn are looking forward to hopefully travelling once again to take part in the celebrations.

May 2025 was also the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. 30 Sqn had the privilege of being able to take part in the fly-past over London with the Lancaster fly-past as well as our German Exchange Officer piloting the A400. A fitting reminder how 2 nations once at war can build bridges and move forward together – this didn’t stop several jokes being made about who signed off a German flying over London!

 Out of the office, a number of 30 Sqn pers spent a couple of days of Force Development in London. Visiting MOD Main Building, Houses of Parliament & the Imperial War Museum, the FD allowed several “Stands” delivered in classic RAF FD style. A trip to “The Hercules” pub in the afternoon, much to the excitement of the Ex Herc crew, put on a downer slightly when they found out it was named after the road it was built on, and not the “Queen of the skies” or whatever they described that old small thing that A400 replaced. (Cheeky…Ed!)

 The biggest and best news of June by far is that the 30 Sqn building finally has running water!! And it only took 365 (ish) days to fix. The Sqn are rumoured to be up for a Green Peace award now that thousands of plastic bottles have been saved from consumption. That is, until it breaks again. Standby….

Till next time,

Jamie

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