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SHINY TWO OPERATIONS PHOTO ARCHIVE FOR MEMBERS - LINK
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II(AC) Squadron awarded Battle Honours
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The MOD has announced that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the award of Battle Honours to squadrons of Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force, including II(AC) Squadron. Details here |
ROLLS ROYCE ENGINEERING AWARD RECOGNISES RAF ENGINEERS’ EFFORTS ON OPERATIONS
II(Army Co-operation) Squadron’s Operation SHADER Avionics Team were recently awarded the Rolls-Royce RAF Engineering Efficiency Award at the annual Engineering Branch Conference Dinner at RAF Cosford. The 18-strong team received the award for successfully identifying and rectifying a number of recurring faults on aircraft required to fly on operations over Syria and Iraq in support of Operation SHADER.
Many rectification tasks on Typhoon involve the replacement of “black boxes” but on a number of occasions during the deployment the Avionics Team realised that the faults lay deeper within the aircraft. Through a combination of deep trade knowledge, thorough investigative skills, tenacity and outstanding teamwork, they completed investigations, identified faults and devised repair schemes well beyond the scope of routine first line engineering activities. Once authorised, the Avionics Team completed repairs in situ, which eliminated frustrating repetitive faults, substantially increased aircraft availability in theatre, and eliminated the time and cost penalty of sending components back to the UK for unnecessary testing.
Officer Commanding II(AC) Squadron, Wing Commander Jim Lee, said of the award to his personnel:
“The award is recognition of the outstanding efforts made by the Avionics Team in support of a particularly busy operational tempo for the Squadron’s engineers this summer. Their ability to think innovatively and devise novel solutions to complex problems, in challenging environmental conditions, highlights the importance of having talented people in an age of ever-increasing reliance upon process. As a result of the Team’s efforts, aircraft availability remained consistently high, allowing over 99% of tasked Close Air Support missions to be delivered in support of coalition ground forces in Iraq and Syria.”
Many rectification tasks on Typhoon involve the replacement of “black boxes” but on a number of occasions during the deployment the Avionics Team realised that the faults lay deeper within the aircraft. Through a combination of deep trade knowledge, thorough investigative skills, tenacity and outstanding teamwork, they completed investigations, identified faults and devised repair schemes well beyond the scope of routine first line engineering activities. Once authorised, the Avionics Team completed repairs in situ, which eliminated frustrating repetitive faults, substantially increased aircraft availability in theatre, and eliminated the time and cost penalty of sending components back to the UK for unnecessary testing.
Officer Commanding II(AC) Squadron, Wing Commander Jim Lee, said of the award to his personnel:
“The award is recognition of the outstanding efforts made by the Avionics Team in support of a particularly busy operational tempo for the Squadron’s engineers this summer. Their ability to think innovatively and devise novel solutions to complex problems, in challenging environmental conditions, highlights the importance of having talented people in an age of ever-increasing reliance upon process. As a result of the Team’s efforts, aircraft availability remained consistently high, allowing over 99% of tasked Close Air Support missions to be delivered in support of coalition ground forces in Iraq and Syria.”
II(AC) Squadron wins the Dacre Trophy for 2017
Number II(AC) Squadron has won the prestigious Dacre Trophy for its outstanding overall performance since reforming with the Typhoon FGR4 at RAF Lossiemouth in January 2015. Barely a year after reforming, the Squadron achieved Full Operational Capability and moved into its new HQ. Over the following 18 months the Squadron deployed to Amari in Estonia where it provided the UK contribution to the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission; Japan and South Korea as part of a major UK Defence Engagement initiative, where its outstanding performance was praised by the Prime Minister; and Exercise Green Flag at Nellis AFB, USA where it completed preparations for deployment on Operation SHADER. From May to September 2017, the Squadron was deployed to RAF Akrotiri in support of Operation SHADER, where it provided vital Close Air Support to coalition land forces in Syria and Iraq as they recaptured Mosul, Tal Afar and Raqqah.
The Dacre Trophy was presented by Air Commodore G B Dacre and his wife in 1951 in memory of their son who was killed on operations over Germany in 1943. The Trophy was originally awarded annually to the most proficient fighter squadron in the RAF. It is now presented annually to the highest performing squadron in Number 1 Group. The Trophy was presented by Group Captain Phil Dacre (Retd) to Wing Commander Jim Lee, Officer Commanding Number II(AC) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth on 26 October 2017. Also in attendance for the presentation were Wing Commander Roger Elliott and Sqn Leader Johnny Meehan, first Officer Commanding and Senior Engineering Officer of the Typhoon era.
OC II(AC) Squadron, Wg Cdr Lee said:
“It is a great honour to receive the Dacre Trophy on behalf of the men and women who have worked so hard over the last two and a half years to make the Squadron what it is today. Their hard work provided the solid foundation upon which we stand today and continue to live up to the Squadron’s motto as ‘Second to None’.”
The Dacre Trophy was presented by Air Commodore G B Dacre and his wife in 1951 in memory of their son who was killed on operations over Germany in 1943. The Trophy was originally awarded annually to the most proficient fighter squadron in the RAF. It is now presented annually to the highest performing squadron in Number 1 Group. The Trophy was presented by Group Captain Phil Dacre (Retd) to Wing Commander Jim Lee, Officer Commanding Number II(AC) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth on 26 October 2017. Also in attendance for the presentation were Wing Commander Roger Elliott and Sqn Leader Johnny Meehan, first Officer Commanding and Senior Engineering Officer of the Typhoon era.
OC II(AC) Squadron, Wg Cdr Lee said:
“It is a great honour to receive the Dacre Trophy on behalf of the men and women who have worked so hard over the last two and a half years to make the Squadron what it is today. Their hard work provided the solid foundation upon which we stand today and continue to live up to the Squadron’s motto as ‘Second to None’.”
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Request for any Swift Era members to help with information here
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Photos from the Meteor Era in the members section here
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2 Squadron footage on BBC Countryfile
Many of you will be aware of the amazing and rare footage of the men and machines of 2 Squadron RFC at Hartlepool in 1914 - BBC Countryfile recently became aware of the footage and sought and received permission from the Association to use some. We understand that a very small part of the film will be on the programme tonight. As they are only able to show a some amount, we have the full footage below:
Opening of the new Squadron building
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Number II(Army Cooperation) SquadronNo 2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was founded on 13 May 1912 at Farnborough in Hampshire. Now based at Royal Air Force Lossiemouth in Scotland flying the Typhoon FGR4, Number II (Army Cooperation) Squadron is one of the oldest squadron's in the world and has a rich history. Known as 'Shiny Two', the Squadron's mottos are 'Hereward' and 'Second to None' - explore the history of the Squadron through history link as a guest or a member of the association.
II(AC) Squadron AssociationThe II(AC) Squadron Association aim is to serve as a hub for ex-members and associates of the Squadron, to preserve its history including supporting the Squadron History book and the II(AC) Squadron Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
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