Tactical Communications Wing RAF

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Tactical Communications Wing


role=Tactical Communications
equipment=
garrison=RAF Brize Norton
garrison_label=Station
motto="Ubique Loquimur" - We Speak Everywhere"
current_commander=
current_commander_label=
identification_symbol=A rock dove in front of a lightning bolt
dates= 1969 - Present
battle_honours=

Tactical Communications Wing (TCW) provides communications facilities to deployed units of the Royal Air Force.

Due to the deployable nature of TCW personnel and their 90 Signals Unit counterparts, they are within a discrete portion of the RAF that wears a DPM uniform full time.

Until the amalgamation with 90 Signals Unit in 2006, TCW personnel could be distinguished by both their rank slides, embroided with the letters 'TCW' and the Wing badge (the rock dove with lightning bolt). Upon amalgamation, the latter was replaced with that of 90 Signals Unit.

TCW is currently a lodger unit at RAF Leeming in Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

TCW's motto is "Ubique Loquimur" which translates to "We Speak Everywhere".

History

TCW's roots can be traced back to 1962, and the forming of 38 Group Support Unit. It was then quickly realised that communications played a large part in supporting operations. In 1965 No. 50 Tactical Signals Unit was formed and as it grew in size was renamed, in 1967 to Tactical Signals Wing then again in 1969 to its current name, Tactical Communications Wing.

TCW has played its part in many operational theatres world-wide, including providing communications and meteorological services in the Falklands War, [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZUjMYkfr-pwC&pg=PA19&lpg=PA19&dq=%22tactical+communications+wing%22&source=web&ots=MBsobM_hoi&sig=y0YjdDzZvcLPRrBNHKRx0haWACM Battle For The Falklands by Roy Braybrook] ] both Gulf Wars, Operation Granby, Operation Barras, Operation Phylis, Sarajevo, Nepal, Northern Ireland, Turkey, Angola, Rwanda, Operation Warden, Operation Jural, Operation Veritas and Operation Herrick. [ [http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/tcw1.html Royal Air Force History - The Tactical Communications Wing] ]

During Operation Telic TCW provided vital communications infrastructure in support of air operations. [ [http://www.operations.mod.uk/special/remembrance.pdf Operations - Ground Support] ]

Wing Role

The Wing's role - to install, operate and maintain transportable tactical communications and information systems, in support of RAF Squadrons and Units, deployed world-wide in support of National interests - sees its personnel performing a high volume of operations. When not deployed the Wing carries out numerous training exercises(including Exercise Magic Carpet - hosted by Oman) in preparation for operations as well as visiting airshows around the UK.

Organisational Structure

Tactical Communications Wing is commanded by an RAF Wing Commander, with each of its five squadrons commanded by an RAF Squadron Leader.

The Squadrons

* No 1 Expeditionary Radar and Airfield (ERA) SquadronDeploy, support and recover a wide range of airfield sensors, navigational aids and information infrastructure worldwide.

* No 2 Field Communications (FC) Squadron
* No 3 Field Communications (FC) Squadron
* No 4 Field Communications (FC) Squadron The three Field Communications Squadrons are split into teams that can deploy at short notice to anywhere in the world with a wide variety of equipment.

* No 5 (Information Systems) (IS) SquadronProvides Information System Support to UK and Overseas.

Personnel

TCW is manned by RAF Trade Group (TG4). TG4 consists of 2 individual trades; Communication and Information Systems Technicians (formerly TG3 Electronics Technicians) and Operater Maintainers - a combination of the old TG11 operators and newly recruited direct entrants.

Amalgamation and Relocation

In April 2006 Tactical Communications Wing was amalgamated into 90 Signals Unit. Along with elements from the 90 SU Operations Wing and elements from RAF High Wycombe and RAF Sealand it will relocate to RAF Leeming in Yorkshire between Summer 2007 and Summer 2009 as part of the creation of the A6 Communications hub. [ [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semukparl&STEMMER=en&WORDS=raf%20leeming&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=%22raf%20leeming%20%22&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=70508-wms0002.htm_spmin0&URL=/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70508-wms0002.htm#70508-wms0002.htm_spmin0 Delay to A6 Hub announced in HANSARD, 8 May 2007 ] ]

=Rockstar Parody=

In 2007 several members of No 4 Squadron created a parody of Nickelback's music video, Rockstar, whilst serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_Mq5RitXDY TCW Rockstar - YouTube] ]

References

ee also

*Royal Air Force