Today we are shooting at RAF Brize Norton, this is only my second visit to Brize but I love it, it’s such a hive of activity and incredibly important to the Royal Air Force's operational capabilities. This evening’s event is organised by Threshold Aero, as was the last event, so let’s get into it!
Gates opened at 1500hrs with the first safety briefing at 1630hrs, it is still only February so dressing appropriately was entirely advise however it turns out the weather gods were on our side and we had a relatively mild evening.
Tonight’s contributions come from;
99 Squadron was formed in August 1917 in Yatesbury flying DH.9 Bombers. Since that time the Squadron has seen action over the Western Front, Mahsud, Baltic, Berlin, Burma, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. 99 Squadron operate the C17 Globemaster III, being resident at RAF Brize Norton since 1970, they are a long serving unit charged with air logistics and air-to-air refuelling. Now commanded by its first ever female commander the squadron rests on the shoulders of Wing Commander Nikki Lofthouse. This particular airframe is ZZ172 and has been in service since June 2001.
Representing the A400 fleet is 24 Sqn, 30 Sqn, 70 Sqn and 206 Squadron. The A400 fleet are 'pooled' so any of the aforementioned Squadrons may use any of the airframes as and when operational requirements demand. This particular airframe is ZM413, it has been in service with the RAF since December 2016.
We also had tonight a Voyager (A330 MRTT), squadron unknown, it was still sporting its civilian code of G-VYGM. Subject to contractual agreements the RAF occasionally loans out their Voyagers to civilian airlines throughout the UK. The Voyager fleet is responsible, generally, for Air-to-Air refuelling however they can be purposed for personnel movements, VIP transport and patient transport. This particular airframe seems to have had the original code of ZZ342 with the RAF possibly since 2015 (not confirmed) and has operated with the likes of Thomas Cook, Jet 2 and Tui fly Belgium.
Back to the shoot, we were particularly lucky to have a striking sunset followed by an epic crescent moon and Venus. Starry skies ensued giving us a fantastic opportunity to achieve results that are rarely caught during these types of shoots. Tonight wouldn’t be complete without a mention to the reason for the event, the evening raised a sizeable donation for the Royal Air Force Association who provide all manner of support to RAF veterans that are in need.
Finally a big thank-you to the staff of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force Association who made the night possible for us!
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