Top job high in the sky (From Witney Gazette)

Top job high in the sky

3:22pm Monday 12th March 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

WEST Oxfordshire airmen joined a fierce battle against enemy militants on British soil last week.

Two crews from RAF Brize Norton supported a short, but decisive strike on foreign fighters hiding out on the rugged moors of Northern England.

And the Witney Gazette was invited along to watch the pilots of 101 Squadron in action.

However, no shots were fired in anger, as the campaign against combatants from the imaginary nation of Umberland was part of a training exercise - codenamed Swift Panther.

The crew of two VC-10 fuel-carrying aircraft, based at Brize Norton, provided air-to-air refuelling for RAF Jaguar, Tornado, and Harrier jets, which were engaged in ground strikes against Army soldiers, posing as militants.

Last week's training exercise also gave the West Oxfordshire airmen an opportunity to brush up on their refuelling technique.

Air-to-air refuelling is a highly-specialist technique, which involves extending 55ft-long fuel pipes from the wings and undercarriage of an aircraft, which receiver' aircraft - usually fast jets - then connect to.

Swift Panther also gave two VC-10 captains from Brize Norton the opportunity to practise taking on fuel from another aircraft over the North Sea.

One of those training was Lt Flt Si Oakley, from Clanfield. He said: "This is one of the best things we do.

"When you are learning how to fly and operate an aircraft, there are many things you can do to further your abilities, but this is one of the most exciting, fun and useful.

"Modern operations in the Gulf wouldn't be possible without air-to-air refuelling. And it's not a skill you can learn quickly.

"We need to be able to do this tactically in a war zone - often at night, with the lights off, and with radio silence. You've got to be good at it in the UK first. It is hard here, but just try doing it in the dark over Afghanistan!"

Flt Lt Dave Hamilton, who lives in Shrivenham, said: "This was an exercise for the pilots of the fast jets who had to provide air cover for troops on the ground. They practised taking on fuel while providing security for the chaps below.

"It also allowed two of our operating captains to receive training in air-to-air refuelling.

He said flying conditions had been 'beautiful'.