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Tactical Supply Wing RAF

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Tactical Supply Wing
Squadron badge
Active1970 (1970) – present
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeNon-flying unit
RoleHelicopter support
Part ofJoint Aviation Command
Home stationMOD Stafford (Beacon Barracks)
Nickname(s)Tiswas
Motto(s)Support to strike
Commanders
Inaugural commanderGroup Captain Craven-Griffiths

The Tactical Supply Wing (TSW) is a helicopter support unit of the Royal Air Force, based at MOD Stafford (also known as Beacon Barracks) in Staffordshire. The wing specialises in the refuelling of helicopters in the field.

History

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The Tactical Supply Wing concept was devised by Group Captain Craven-Griffiths, who developed the idea during his time at the Ministry of Defence in London during the late 1960s. Griffiths and colleagues spent many hours discussing the concept in The Old Shades public house, located on Whitehall. Ever since, the Old Shades has been considered as the birthplace of the TSW.[1]

The TSW, nicknamed "Tiswas"[2] (a word meaning "a state of nervous agitation or confusion ... physical disorder or chaos", attested from 1960 by the OED[3]), was formed at RAF Stafford in late 1970 and became operational in January 1971.[4] TSW was sent on its first operational deployment to Northern Ireland in 1971. Elements of TSW have deployed around the world to support British and NATO helicopter units in most major exercises and conflicts since it was formed.

Role and operations

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An Oshkosh Wheeled Refueller vehicle operated by the RAF Tactical Supply Wing.
An Oshkosh Wheeled Refueller vehicle operated by the RAF Tactical Supply Wing.

TSW's primary role is supporting the deployment of helicopter operations, specialising in providing rotors-turning refuelling to helicopters and field refuelling of fixed-wing aircraft; this can done from the back of a transport aircraft, or deploy-able storage facilities, such as bowsers or pillow tanks, often in the field or at austere temporary sites.[5][6]

The unit is still at Stafford, but the base is now called Beacon Barracks.[7] It also houses 22 Signal Regiment and 16 Signal Regiment.[8][9]

Heritage

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The wing's badge, awarded in March 1992, features a Peregrine falcon in a flying position, against a background of a three-arched bridge and a body of water. The aggressive falcon with its wings fully extended resonates with a “Supply Wing” whereas the bridge represents communication and is portrayed with three arches, which is a reference to three RAF commands and all three services of the British Armed Forces.[4]

The wing's motto is Support to Strike, acknowledging its support role which supports combat operations.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Tactical Supply Wing [@TacticalSupWing] (20 September 2019). "Good Morning and welcome to the Tactical Supply Wing's Twitter Page. Please spread the word and continue to follow us for regular TSW updates. We thought we'd dedicate our 1st tweet to the founder and brainchild of TSW, Gp Capt Craven-Griffiths OBE. #JHC20 #AcrossAllBoundries" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "No 38 Group RAF". ParaData. 15 January 1942. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  3. ^ "tiswas". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  4. ^ a b c "Tactical Supply Wing". RAF Heraldry Trust. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  5. ^ "RAF flies into action for training exercise at Shawbury". www.shropshirestar.com. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  6. ^ "RAF team keeps rotors turning over Afghanistan - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  7. ^ "MOD Stafford Beacon Barracks". Forces MOD Stafford Community Information Portal. 28 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "Soldiers march through Stafford as part of Battle of Britain commemorations". ITV News. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Plan for 300 soldier homes at Stafford's Beacon Barracks". BBC News. 10 January 2014.
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