RAF VALLEY | Training The Next Generation RAF Fighter Pilots | Texan T1 & Hawk T2

RAF Valley on Anglesey in Wales, is home to No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for training the UK's next generation of world-class fighter pilots. It is the next training stage from RAF Cranwell, and once the pilot decides to pursue their fast jet career, they will come here and begin their 2 year training. They could be our next Typhoon display pilot or even go on to becoming a Red Arrows pilot, ooh yeah!

Once the pilot has got the Fast Jet set in their heart, they will go to RAF Valley. Fast-jet training lasts around 2 years and they will initially fly the Texan, after which they will be awarded their Pilot flying badge, known as ‘wings’. The pilot will then go on to fly the Hawk T2, again at RAF Valley and, after successful completion of the tactical weapons phase, they will go to an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), where they will train on the specific aircraft that they will be flying in a front-line role. For Typhoon, they will be with 29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby. For F-35B, they will make their journey to RAF Marham and fly with their OCU.

Stationed at RAF Valley:
72 Squadron
IV Squadron
4 Flying Training School
XXV (F) Squadron
202 Squadron
Mountain Rescue Service

72 Squadron
They provide basic fast jet training (BFT) to RAF and Royal Navy student pilots. They are the only RAF squadron to have spent time as a helicopter unit before returning to fixed-wing flying. Aircraft flown include the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a, Gloster Gladiator, Supermarine Spitfire, de Havilland Vampire, Gloster Javelin, Bristol Belvedere, Westland Wessex, Shorts Tucano and Beechcraft Texan. They operate alongside the Hawks of IV and 25 Squadrons at RAF Valley. In 2019, 72 Squadron’s identity was transferred to the Texan Integration Squadron at RAF Valley on 31 October.

IV Squadron
Once associated with the legendary Harrier at Cottesmore and Wittering. IV once provided aerial reconnaissance imagery for the D-Day landings. Aircraft flown have included Spitfire XI, Hunter F4, and the Harrier GR7. IV Sqn deliver training to the first ab-initio F-35 Lightning pilots. It was in 2010, that IV sqn stood down as a Harrier Squadron and were re-activated at RAF Valley as its present role the same year.

4 FTS
No. 4 Flying Training School (4FTS) takes RAF and Royal Navy fast pilots from Basic Flying Training (BFT) and trains them to fly fast jets prior to moving on to their Operational Conversion Units.

XXV (F) Squadron
The legendary squadron that flew the Panavia Tornado F3 at RAF Leeming, once a QRF (Quick Reaction Force). XXV (F) Squadron provide advanced fast jet training (AFJT) to RAF and Royal Navy student pilots. They are part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) joint enterprise and 4 Flying Training School (4 FTS). Pilots move from XXV(F) Squadron to continue their tactical and weapons training with IV(AC) Squadron at RAF Valley, before progressing to their frontline aircraft type. Previous aircraft flown include the Sopwith Snipe, Hawker Fury, Gloster Gladiator, Meteor and Javelin, Bristol Blenheim, de Havilland Mosquito and of course the Panavia Tornado F3

202 Squadron
They support the No 1 Flying Training School. They operated as a search and rescue squadron for more than 50 years. Aircraft flown include the Short Sunderland, Consolidated Catalina, Handley Page Hastings, Westland Whirlwind and Sea King. 202 Sqn provide mountain, maritime and SAR training to helicopter aircrew with the Airbus Helicopters Jupiter. In 2016, 202 sqn disbanded, but stood up again as 202 (Reserve) Squadron, a SAR training unit equipped with the Bell Griffin HT1. Then in 2018, they were re-equipped with the Jupiter.

Mountain Rescue Service
RAF Valley is the Headquarters of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service. It provides command and control for the three RAF Mountain Rescue Teams based at RAF Valley, RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leeming.

Recorded on: 23rd May 2022

For more info:
RAF Valley Website
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisati...
Facebook RAF Valley Spotters
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Spotters Guide
https://www.spotterguide.net/planespo...
RAF Cranwell Video
   • Why R.A.F. Cranwell Is Important | RA...  
RAF Pilot Career
https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/roles/...

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