InsideAIR
Episodes
Ep 39: Origin Story of the RAF Hymn
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For more than a century, the RAF hasn't had its own hymn. With music being such a core aspect of life in the military, it's quite fitting that during ...
Ep 38: RAF Cosford - Last Air Show Standing
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Air shows are back! Later in this episode we'll hear an RAF photographer's top ten tips for capturing the perfect air show photograph. But first, we v...
Ep 37: Tactical Medical Wing Part 2 - Healthcare in the Air
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the concluding part of this two part special edition of InsideAIR, we re-join Sqn Ldr Sarah as she investigates the work of Tactical Medical Wing. ...
Ep 36: Tactical Medical Wing Part 1 - MERT and DARTS
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When the UK deploys its Armed Forces around the globe, the RAF's Tactical Medical Wing is standing by to respond to medical emergencies and bring inju...
Ep 35: Operational Training Centre
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Before the RAF sends its Expeditionary Air Wings on ops, it makes sure they are prepared to deal with both the expected and the unexpected. We sent ou...
Ep 34: Ex RED FLAG - A Fighter Pilot's View
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Exercise RED FLAG maximises the combat readiness, capability and survivability of participating units. It's held at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, U...
Ep 33: Mandy Hickson - Fast Jet Pilot
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mandy Hickson is a former Royal Air Force fast jet pilot and lived through part of the RAF's journey to becoming more inclusive. In this episode, Mand...
Ep 32: What is RAFX?
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you'd like to see what day to day tech the RAF will be using in the future, a visit to the Innovation Hub at RAF Leeming should give you some clues...
Ep 31: Fuelling a Sustainable Future RAF
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The RAF plans to achieve net zero by 2040, but for a military service that flies jets, that presents an incredible challenge. From synthetic aviation...
Ep 30: Robot Cars
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
They have four wheels, they're green and have artificial intelligence – but no driver. In a great example of how the Astra programme is shaping the ...
Ep 29: Top Ten InsideAIR Episodes
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
InsideAIR launched in January 2021 and to mark our first anniversary, we thought we'd replay some memorable moments from the top ten episodes so far (...
Ep28: Life as an RAF Musician
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Senior Aircraftman Alan Thomas in this week's InsideAIR. Just over a year ago, experienced musician Alan decided to trade his comfortable seat in...
Ep 27: Op FORTIS Carrier Strike Group Returns
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After 7 months at sea, the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has returned. HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed into Portsmouth Harbour a day after its F-35 jets arriv...
Ep 26: Exercise MAGIC CARPET
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Magic Carpet is an annual exercise that allows personnel from the RAF and Royal Air Force of Oman to work, train and socialise together. This year the...
Ep 25: To the Stars - Social Mobility and CAS Fellowship
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Per Ardua Ad Astra - 'through adversity to the stars'. It's the RAF's motto, but how does this apply its people, both uniformed and MOD Civil Service?...
Ep 24: Goodbye to E-3D Sentry AWACS
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Unmistakable because of its giant rotating dish, the airliner sized E-3D Sentry, also known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), recently f...
Ep 23: Astra Tech Exposure Day Spotlight
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Operations at the UK's new Space Command, what future RAF stations will look like, VR to improve fire-fighting training and new tech at the RAF Office...
Ep 22: Gripping Mobile Tech with Appivate
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Using mobile apps is part of everyday life for most people, but technology experts believe we've only scratched the surface of app capability. The Ast...
Ep 21: En Garde
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ceremonial swords are a common sight on parade squares but how would you fair in a fight using a foil, epee or sabre? We asked two Senior Aircraftmen ...
Ep 20: Military Working Dogs
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to know who has the best super power in the Royal Air Force, look no further than the RAF's military working dogs. Whether it's protecting...
Ep 19: Enhanced Air Policing on Op BILOXI
24 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The RAF regularly contributes to NATO Enhanced Air Policing missions in Europe. Currently, Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft are deployed to Romania ...
Ep 18: RAF Elite and High Performing Athletes
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The RAF encourages all its people to get involved in sport, but if you're good enough to compete at the highest level, you could receive a package of ...
Ep 17: UK Military Flying Training System
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It takes years of study and training before an RAF pilot earns their coveted wings and can progress to operational flying. In episode 15 we looked at ...
Ep 16: Middle East Operations with 83 Expeditionary Air Group
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Working on Operations from desert air bases in the Middle East and Cyprus are the men and women of 83 Expeditionary Air Group. The combined efforts of...
Ep 15: Helicopter Pilot Training and Earning Those Wings
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Learning to fly a helicopter is notoriously challenging, so what does it take to earn your pilot's wings? We asked one of the RAF's most recent gradua...
Ep 14: RAF Reserves - Reality and Future
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There are more than 3,000 men and women in the Royal Air Force Reserve and they are integral to protecting the nation's security at home and overseas...
Ep 13: RPAS (not Drones) and the Humans Behind the System
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The cockpit stays in the hangar but the aircraft flies thousands of miles away. We're talking Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) and our corresponden...
Ep 12: Exercise Rehabilitation - Injury Recovery and Return to Fitness
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Maintaining a high level of fitness is expected of everyone in the RAF. But what happens when an accident, injury and or lockdown gets in the way. Our...
Ep 11: Law of Armed Conflict in Space and Cyber
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Can you respond to a cyber-attack with force? Do laws on earth extend into space? InsideAIR's Flight Lieutenant Peter Lisney quizzes Squadron Leaders ...
Ep 10: Living with a Disability in Uniform
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you're serving in the Royal Air Force and found out you'd developed a life changing neurological condition, how would you cope? What would the RAF ...
Ep 09: 55 Years of UKMAMS
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When you deploy on operations or exercises around the globe, it's vital you have the right kit, in the right place, at the right time. For 55 years, t...
Ep 08: Covid Testing Duty with RAF Reserves
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's called MACA, or Military Aid to the Civil Authorities, and since the first lockdown, RAF Reservists have been temporarily swapping their civilian...
Ep 07: Overcoming Isolation with Esports
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Can online gaming beat lockdown isolation? Where is the line drawn between gaming enjoyment and gaming addiction and what are the cyber security risks...
Ep 06: RAF in 2040 - Fact From Fiction
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You may be familiar with stories from the RAF's past, but what about stories from the future? We ask the head of the Royal Air Force and his Warrant O...
Ep 05: Inside RAF Apprenticeships
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The RAF apprenticeship programme is almost as old as the RAF itself, but what is it like to be an RAF apprentice today? We hear from some of our Appre...
Ep 04: Evolution of Fast Jet Ground Attack
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Thirty years ago this month, former RAF Tornado navigator John Nichol was being held as a prisoner of war in an Iraqi jail. His aircraft had been shot...
Ep 03: Spiritual Resilience on Ops
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Going on ops can boost to your tan and your pay, but the package can also include stress, danger and physical hardship, leaving you asking yourself so...
Ep 02: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in C4ISR
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Electronic devices on Earth, in space and even in our pockets constantly generate masses of data. Gaining information advantage by using all this data...
Ep 01: On Guard in Space
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Space is an ever-changing domain and in this episode we speak to Flight Lieutenant Ryan Holden, Officer Commanding Mission Tactics Flight at Royal Air...