No. 1 Radio School RAF

History

The unit pre-dates the formation of the Royal Air Force and its roots can be traced back to the Royal Flying Corps School for Wireless Operators which formed in 1915. Originally known as No. 1 Signals School, on 1 January 1943 the school was renamed No. 1 Radio School. The school was based at RAF Locking, between 1950 and 1999, when it was disbanded to form part of No. 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Cosford. It was reformed on 2 April 2003, and incorporates the Aerial Erector School (AES) at RAF Digby.

Role

No. 1 Radio School is responsible for Phase 2 and 3 training of RAF Engineering Communications Electronics (Eng CE) officers, Trade Group 4 Cyberspace Communications Specialists and Communications Infrastructure Technicians.

The role of Information Communication Technicians in the Royal Air Force is to maintain and operate the communication and Information Technology utilized by the RAF. This means using traditional engineering abilities alongside more modern day skills in maintaining local area networks and other complicated systems. ICT employees are often employed in tri-service (joint) environments.

No 1 Radio School Mission:

Phase 2 Training:

Phase 3 Training:

Training

Cyberspace Communications Specialists

The purpose of Cyberspace Communications Specialist training is to:

After 9 weeks of basic recruit training at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire, students undertake a 52 week specialist training course at No. 1 Radio School, RAF Cosford. This course prepares the students for their first tour at an operational unit, giving them the relevant skills and experiences ranging from Radar and radio principles to network administration and Cyber security. Students are also trained in health and safety, and in the skills needed to deploy and maintain the RAF’s communications systems and information networks.

The final phase of training is conducted within Training Consolidation Flight. The Data Network Deployment Exercise, allows students to consolidate their training by participating in activities designed to test their knowledge of computer networks. The Radio Operations Exercise brings together theory and practical elements of Radio Fundamental studies, ending in the students operating a live Military Radio Network. The course culminates with the Trade Consolidation Exercise, a major consolidation exercise designed to test the students in all aspects of the training they receive during their time at No 1 Radio School. It is designed to challenge the students by placing them in a realistic deployed environment, making them responsible for the maintenance and administration of the communications and network services, typical of what they will encounter on their first operational tour.

Communication Infrastructure Technician (CIT)

The purpose of CIT training is to:

CIT personnel are trained to use lifting systems to build antenna arrays and temporary structures, such as scaffold or lightweight access staging; where this is not suitable they are also trained to use Mobile Elevated Work Platforms. The AES provides WaH Pre Employment Training, Advanced Fibre Optic Pre Deployment Training, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms and TG4 CIT trade training. These range in duration from a one day Climbing Aptitude Safety Assessment at the Stenigot Tower (which must be successfully completed for TG4 CIT s and Royal Signallers to WaH), to the 21 week Further Training Course for CIT personnel eligible for promotion, or needing to hold acting rank of Corporal, so they may supervise WaH activities.

Engineering Officer Further Training (Communications Electronics) (EOFT (CE))

The purpose of EOFT (CE) is to:

Upon completion of Initial Officer Training at RAFC Cranwell, students complete a 26-week training course that prepares newly commissioned junior officers for, and provides them with the skills necessary to undertake, the many varied first tours that an Eng (CE) officer might undertake. The key theme throughout the course, which is split over three terms, is to embed an appreciation of how technology is a key enabler of operations. Term 1 of the course provides an introduction to communications doctrine, communications organisations within Defence and the responsibilities of an Eng (CE) officer, as well as an academic module looking at RADAR and telecommunications principles. Term 2 builds on the application of those modules taught during Phase 1, and introduces the officers to cyberspace and information services, systems and applications. The final term of the course consolidates the earlier taught modules and culminates in a scenario-based final exercise that simulates and assesses the officers in the type of environment that they could expect to find themselves in their first tour as Eng (CE) officers.

In order to enhance their learning and to continue their development, the officers undertake a number of visits to RAF stations and joint organisations, such as RAF Waddington, Air Command, and the Permanent Joint Headquarters, and undertake an adventurous training and force development package.

Qualifications

No. 1 Radio School is a Microsoft and Cisco accredited academy, and the training that the students receive is recognised by a wide range of civilian employers and backed by transferable qualifications. Cyberspace Communications Specialists are enrolled on an Advanced Apprenticeship in IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals, during their specialist training. Students will complete a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles, and register to start the Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals BTEC Level 3 Diploma, as part of their NVQ, which can be completed within their first tour.

The AES is an accredited centre for City & Guilds offering modules towards a Level 2 Structured Cabling qualification and a Level 3 Award in Understanding, Planning, Supervising and Managing Working at Height. TG4 CIT students will complete the Technical Certification portion of their Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship at the AES, which is completed in the two years that follow.

The EOFT (CE) course is accredited by Lincoln University, and after the successful completion of the course and some additional distance learning modules, the officers can be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Communications Engineering Management.