NO
612 (COUNTY OF ABERDEEN) SQUADRON
THE
AIR TRANSPORTABLE SURGICAL SQUADRON
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force motto is
COMITAMUR AD ASTRA We go with them to the stars.
This explains the role of the Squadron in support of our Royal Air Force
colleagues. The Squadron was formed
at RAF Leuchars in 1997 and its role is to provide field surgical support to the
armed forces in times of conflict or war and to provide surgical support to
civilian populations in the event of major disaster.
Some of the Squadrons recent training and operational achievements are
as follows:
Oman Saif Sarea 2001
One of the first operational roles of the Squadron along with our
regular RAF colleagues was providing the medical and nursing support for 33
Field Hospital for two weeks of Exercise Saif Sarea II.
During this period the Squadron cared for over 100 inpatient military
personnel suffering mostly from heat injuries.
St Mawgan 2002 RAF Collective Training
During our annual 15-day continuous training period the Squadron
attended Collective training at St Mawgan where an Air Transportable Surgical
Support Team was set in place to support the Deployed Operating Base.
The facility had 4 receiving bays, I operating theatre, radiology and
laboratory facilities and 20 ward beds. Over
the operational phase of the exercise we received mock casualties with various
injuries/illnesses including simulated Nuclear Biological and Chemical
casualties.
Op TELIC 2003
The majority of 612 personnel were mobilised during the early
phase of OP Telic. For reasons
related to the political agenda it was not possible for the Squadron to deploy
as a whole therefore two main groups were formed.
The first group of Intensive Care staff went initially to Kuwait to set
up a 2 bed Intensive Care holding facility attached to the aero medical
evacuation facility at Kuwait international airport. Latterly they joined 34 field hospital in Basra and worked
both in A&E and Intensive care with Tri-service colleagues.
The second group went initially to Cyprus where they worked in the
Princess Marys Hospital augmenting the existing staff then moving to Al
Ahmara to work with the Army in a small field hospital.
Humanitarian Role
Various members of the Squadron have over the years volunteered for
short deployments of up to three months supporting humanitarian aid projects in
Bosnia.
Peacetime/Training Role
The Squadron trains one weekend per month and have a 15 day
continuous training period once per year. There
is an expectation that all members will attend a minimum of 6 weekends and the
15-day training period annually. During
these weekends various training takes place including but not limited to:
Adventure Training
Includes various activities such as hill walking, cycling, canoeing,
rock climbing and abseiling.
CCS/Fitness Testing
Each member of the Squadron must complete the annual Common Core Skills
test (including weapon handling) and fitness test.
BATLS Training/Refresher
One weekend per year is spent updating members on Battlefield Advanced
Trauma Life Support skills and coaching individuals who are to attend the course
for the first time.
Field Skills
These weekends include a mixture of theory and practical living in the
field skills which include navigational and survival skills.
Silver Stretcher
This exercise is run over two days.
The Squadron splits into teams to navigate to various stations around the
airfield and complete various tasks. The
competition is to win the coveted silver stretcher plaque to the team scoring
the highest number of points. The
stations are changed each year but may include weapon skills, first aid,
leadership, assault course, NBC drills, camouflage of vehicles and personnel.
Leadership Training
These weekends are aimed at improving leadership skills for those
personnel working towards promotion or prior to attending leadership courses.
Petit Mash
Petit Mash exercises are normally run once or twice per year where the
ATSST is constructed and mock casualties are put trough the facility.
The Squadron also has a commitment once a year to support the RAF
Leuchars Air Show by setting up a casualty clearing station.
We also field a demonstration at this event.
Recruitment
Recruiting mainly from the NHS and
Private Health care sectors, personnel train on a part time basis to be ready to
support the Regular forces when required. There
is also a requirement for a small number of non-medical staff who are trained on
the Squadron to fill the post of Medical Assistants.
If you would like to attend one of our presentations or have any
questions, please contact me by one of the following:
E-Mail: 612sqnleuchars@btconnect.com
Telephone:
01334 839471 Ext.7974
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Princess Mary's Royal Air Force
Nursing Service
