InsideAIR

Which is the best profession in the Royal Air Force? If you said Pilot, Aircraft Technician, or Regiment Gunner, Chef Warrant Officer Chris Beavis, might disagree. InsideAIR dropped into the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess at RAF Benson to find out why WO Beavis loves being a Chef and to find out what life is like feeding the RAF. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Juggling a Reserve commitment with a busy civilian job is something that's part and parcel of life for the thousands of Reserves currently serving in the RAF. Someone who knows that first hand is the Chief Medical Officer of Scotland Professor Sir Gregor Smith, but far from saying it can be too hard for NHS staff to find the time, he's urging more of them to join the RAF Medical Reserves,  saying not only is it a boost for their careers as individuals, but to the health service as a whole. AS1 Ben Russell has the story. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In this episode, we'll hear from the team at RAF Marham in Norfolk, about how their ‘BeReady' strategy is ensuring that the whole force team is coming together to deliver success and proving they are ‘always ready to fly and fight.'  The station, which is home to the RAF's F-35B Lightning fleet, is into the second round of its ‘BeReady' strategy, a drive to bring together the whole force, with service personnel, industry partners, and civilian contractors, all coming together to deliver success and enhance their readiness to respond during times of threat or crisis. Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully spoke with the team bringing 'BeReady 25' to life. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In this episode, we catch up with the Air Officer Wales and find out how his passion for the sport of orienteering ties in directly with life in the Royal Air Force. The sport of orienteering is one which helps not just with fitness and mental health wellbeing, but which also connects directly with the objectives of a career in the RAF, through skills such as preparation, flexibility and adaptability. That's the view of the Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods. He spoke with InsideAIR's Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney about the sport and the five critical skills which orienteering can offer personnel serving in the RAF InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

The hope is there won't be another Battle of Britain. However, should the unthinkable happen, what has changed since the last battle, how might an Integrated Air and Missile Defence system help, and how could changing the way we think prepare us for such a conflict.  InsideAIR speaks with Dr Sophy Antrobus, Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Freeman Air and Space Institute, to hear an academic's point of view. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In this episode, we're talking about the next generation of aircraft to enter into service with the Royal Air Force. Tempest, GCAP and FCAS.. want to know what it all means for the 6th generation of aircraft planned for service with the RAF? We'll be hearing from Leonardo, Rolls-Royce and the RAF itself, as Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney gets an InsideAIR update. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Have you ever crewed, been flown in or serviced a Puma? March sees the retirement of this medium support helicopter that has carried troops, supplies and humanitarian aid in operations and exercises around the world since 1971. InsideAIR goes to RAF Benson, to say farewell. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In the second instalment of our two part feature about Channel 4's documentary on the RAF we rejoin InsideAIR's Air Specialist 1 Emma Kirwan as she goes behind the scenes of Top Guns: Inside the RAF.  InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

How do you make a TV documentary on a busy, operational and in places, secretive RAF station? Balancing the needs and wishes of the people being filmed, the film crew and ultimately the viewers, is no easy task. InsideAIR's Air Specialist 1 Emma Kirwan spoke to the people behind and in front of the cameras of the second series of Top Guns: Inside the RAF.  InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Acquiring new platforms, upgrading current platforms so they remain relevant, and ensuring the support solutions, supplies and spares are in place. This is the unsung role of Defence Equipment and Support. Squadron Leader Peter Lisney talks with DE&S's Director Fixed Wing and Director Rotary Wing, UAS and Air Enablers, to find out how they deliver war fighting capability to the RAF, and hears what to look out for in the coming years.   InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

A joint RAF & RNLI exercise took place recently off the coast of the Isle of Man with a 202 Squadron Jupiter helicopter from RAF Valley playing the lead role. Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully watched the winching operations from the deck of the Port St Mary lifeboat and caught up with both teams to find out what was involved. The exercise took place in mid-December, at the end of the RNLI's bicentenary, with the organisation having been established on the Isle of Man. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

‘When will I be promoted, how much will I be paid, does the job still make me happy?' If you're already serving in the RAF, these career related questions might sound familiar.  Squadron Leader Peter Lisney spoke with members of the RAF Career Management team to find out how the new Pan-Defence Skills Framework could play a major role in finding the answers.  InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

2024 saw the 60th anniversary of the formation of the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. InsideAIR's Flight Lieutenant Amy Casey finds out why they were founded, gets a tour of their famous Hawk Mk T1 aircraft, and meets pilots, groundcrew and their fans as the Red Arrows embark on their summer tour. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.  

When the Atlas C.1 A400M entered service with the RAF ten years ago, many asked whether this tactical airlift aircraft would ever be as good as the much loved C-130 Hercules. Who better then to pass judgement than a pilot who has flown both aircraft for almost equal lengths of time. InsideAIR met with Flight Lieutenant Seb Davey to find the answer. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

According to the RAF's Chief Modelling and Simulation Officer, 'Commercial' is actually about delivering capability at pace that the war fighter needs. Group Captain Rauri Henderson-Begg and Tom Purser from Commercial X talk to InsideAIR about rapid capability development for a 5th Gen Air Force. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In this episode, we'll step behind the scenes at the Air Historical Branch at Northolt to check out the huge variety of work they undertake going back through time and in making sure that today's RAF events are properly captured for the future. Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully spoke with the Head of the Air Historical Branch, Seb Cox, to find out more. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

On InsideAIR this week, we get the latest on flying training. As Head of Flying Training for the Royal Navy, Army and RAF, Air Commodore Rob Caine's job is to get as many aircrew as possible through flying training to the front line. He told Squadron Leader Peter Lisney of InsideAIR, how the system has been changing and how augmented reality and psychological skills training are now both playing a part in producing the UK's next front line pilots. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), the Red Arrows, have just returned from a very successful six-week tour of Canada on 'Maple Hawk'. The RAF Waddington based team are celebrating their own 60th anniversary and were invited to help mark the Royal Canadian Air Force's Centennial year. InsideAIR's Flight Lieutenant Mark McKinstry joined them behind the scenes.  

In this 100th episode special, Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Richard Knighton joins Squadron Leader Peter Lisney to look back at some of the significant events and achievements that have happened for the RAF, its people, technology and operations, since InsideAIR's first episode in January 2021. They also look ahead to what we can expect in the RAF by the time episode 200 is released in 2028. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

This summer, two Poseidon MRA.1 (P-8A) Maritime Reconnaissance Attack aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth flew to Hawaii for the world's largest international maritime exercise. Called Exercise Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC for short, it involved 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel. InsideAIR went to find out more. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

The RAF normally employs its Typhoon jet fighters for land-based NATO Air Policing missions. However, this year, 617 Squadron's F-35 B Lightnings took on the job for the first time. InsideAIR's Flt Lt Amy Casey went to Iceland to see how they got on.  InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, have set off to help the Royal Canadian Air Force celebrate its centenary.  What does it take to move the aircraft, pilots, engineers, ground and support crew along with several tonnes of equipment across the Atlantic? InsideAIR's Flt Lt Mark McKinstry caught up with them as they prepared to depart. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Speaking about the RAF's contribution to NATO air and space power, Air Marshal Johnny Stringer says, “There's no point in having an air show air force; you've got to be ready to turn up and do the difficult stuff”. Listen to the full interview with the Deputy Commander of NATO's Allied Air Command. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

The Finnish Air Force has deployed to Romania on its first NATO Enhanced Air Policing Mission, operating alongside the RAF's 140 Expeditionary Air Wing.  InsideAIR sent Air Specialist 1, Victoria Andrews to find out how the operation has been going. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.    

What does it mean to be ready to fly and fight? Where will that fight be? And why is the RAF changing the way it operates? Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton gives InsideAIR the answers. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

We hear a lot about RAF and general military intelligence, but what do we actually mean when we talk about it? Who's involved, what do they do, how do they do it and what happens to all the information they gather? Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney lifts the veil to get the answers.  InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

For more than 70 years, the small Bavarian town of Oberammergau has been host to a NATO School. With 115 courses attended by 11,000 students annually, InsideAIR spoke with an RAF officer currently serving there to find out what the School delivers for both NATO and the Royal Air Force. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Cyberspace is a domain we're hearing more and more about and its importance to every aspect of what we do, day-in and day-out is growing. But when we talk about Cyberspace, what exactly do we mean, how far does it reach into our lives, who are the people who can help us navigate through and, what if you think you might have what it takes to join the RAF Cyberspace team?

In this edition of InsideAIR, we're off to Texas for RAF fighter pilot training The RAF sends some of its trainee pilots to the United States to learn to be fighter pilots. InsideAIR's Wing Commander Dylan Eklund headed to the Lone Star State to get the lowdown. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

While scientists and engineers develop the RAF's sixth generation combat aircraft, a specialist team of aviation and space medicine consultants are working hard to mitigate the effects which flying the aircraft will have on the aircrew's body. InsideAIR's Medical Correspondent , Wg Cdr Sarah Charters, went to the centrifuge at RAF Cranwell to meet the team working on this challenge and to find out about the future of aerospace medicine.  InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.  

As the last forces personnel were evacuated from Kabul in August 2021, two German soldiers were accidentally left behind, leading to an incredible rescue mission, led by an RAF Flight Lieutenant.  A call from the German Ops centre asked Flt Lt Mark Jenkins to fly back into Kabul. His mission... to rescue the two German soldiers who'd been left behind amidst the chaos. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In 2021, the Government published a list of recommendations in the Reserve Forces Review 2030. Less than a year later Russia invaded Ukraine. What happened to RF30? How will RAF Reservists be affected? And what does it mean for the wider RAF? InsideAIR spoke with Air Vice-Marshal Ranald Munro, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force's Commandant General, to find some answers. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In today's episode, we take a look around the RAF Centre of Aerospace Medicine at RAF Henlow. Aircraft rapid decompression and loss of oxygen can be life threatening for aircrew. Knowing what to expect, and how to recognise hypoxia are just some the life-saving scenarios aircrew train for at the Centre. We sent InsideAIR's medical correspondent, Wg Cdr Sarah Charters, to find out more. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Change, culture, leadership, and the benefits­ of a diverse environment. These are just some of the topics Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall considers as she chats with InsideAIR's Flight Lieutenant Amy Casey about life in the RAF­­. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

We hear lots about the space domain, but what does that actually mean and how is the UK using it as part of its defence policy? Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey is the Commander of UK Space Command, based at High Wycombe, and he spoke with Flt Lt Chris Sully to explain what his team does and what it means for the big picture. 

‘Could we hit it?', ‘Should we hit it?' Before RAF aircraft can strike a target, these questions must be asked, and it's down to the targeting team's Legal Adviser and Policy Adviser to come up with the answers. In this ground-breaking interview for the RAF, we head to the Middle East to speak with 83 Expeditionary Air Group's LEGAD and POLAD. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In the latest episode, we catch up with the Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force, Warrant Officer Murugesvaran Subramaniam. Warrant Officer Subramaniam has been in post as Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force for the best part of a year now. But what does the role actually mean and what does he hope to achieve?  

Can you take a civilian airline pilot, make them an RAF Reservist and have them operate a state-of-the-art military ISTAR aircraft? Well, if the aircraft has essentially the same flight deck, why not!InsideAIR met with Group Captain ISTAR Reserves who aims to do this at scale with X-Flight. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

As InsideAIR reaches its third birthday, our correspondent AS1 Victoria Andrews takes a look back at your top ten favourite episodes from the past 12 months based on the number of downloads in the first seven days after release.  From all the RAF Reservist team behind the podcast, have a very happy Christmas and please stay tuned in 2024!   

InsideAIR goes behind the scenes at RAF Waddington as the RAF's latest Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) makes its maiden flight. The Protector RG Mk1 will offer a huge leap forward in terms of operability and capability as Sqn Ldr Daz Scales discovers. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.  

The annual RAF Training Specialisation Conference has just taken place at RAF Halton. Military Training Specialists are at the very heart of preparing future forces personnel to be able to deliver the capability to 'fly and fight'.  AS1 Emma Kirwan caught up with some of those at the conference to hear about their plans and challenges.    

RAF Mustangs are back, but this time in the shape of the RAF's American Football team. Our correspondent AS1 Emma Kirwan went pitch side to find out why the sport is rapidly growing in the British Military and to watch the RAF meet the Army in the final of the Inter-Services Championships. "Fly high, strike fast". InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

This is the incredible story of former RAF Chinook Crewman, Liz McConaghy. From pulling the trigger and being shot at, to extracting wounded soldiers from the battlefield, and even a near fatal collision with overhead power cables, Liz's seventeen year career in the back of a Chinook helicopter is one she wouldn't swap for anything.  But not all combat injuries are physical, as Liz shared with InsideAIR's Flt Lt Amy Casey. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In this week's InsideAIR, we enter the fascinating world of test pilots, aircrew and engineers. Find out from the RAF's Chief Test Pilot why in this synthetic world of AI, machine learning and simulators, real time test and evaluation in the air is just as important as ever. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Protecting the RAF's secrets is the life-long responsibility of everyone who wears the uniform. Whether that's online, on a night out or even in your own neighbourhood. In this frank discussion, Air and Space Commander Air Marshal Harvey Smyth explains the threat could be closer than you think. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

'Move, eat, think and sleep' is a new initiative to help RAF personnel physically, mentally and emotionally both in work and outside.It's a new initiative by the team of PTI's and Training Development Flight at RAF Coningsby and Sqn Ldr Daz Scales went along to see what it's all about. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.    

The UK's National Military Representative to SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), is Air Commodore Steve Kilvington. In this episode, he explains to Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney about the criticality of control of the air, the new NATO Force Model and what it's like to work and live within SHAPE in Belgium. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Scotland plays a significant role in the RAF's defence of the United Kingdom with both Typhoon QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) jets and the Poseidon multi-role maritime patrol aircraft based at RAF Lossiemouth. Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney talks with Air Officer Scotland, Air Vice-Marshal Ross Paterson, about the Royal Air Force presence in Scotland, the highlights of Highland life, and why once posted there, it seems personnel don't ever want to leave. We'll also hear about the RAF's lead in this year's Edinburgh Military Tattoo. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, the RAF's involvement in Air Policing Missions over NATO's Eastern flank have taken on a new significance for both those deployed and the host nations.  Before the completion of this year's Op AZOTIZE based in Estonia, InsideAIR spoke with 140 Expeditionary Air Wing's Officer Commanding and a Junior Engineering Officer to see how things had gone. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Which is best, Chinook or Typhoon? That's the question we asked the Chinook and Typhoon display pilots at the Royal International Air Tattoo. We also take a look inside the Techno Tent to hear about STEM from astronaut Major Tim Peake and former Tornado pilot, Mandy Hickson. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

How does being behind the wheel of a Formula One racing car compare with taking the controls of a Typhoon jet fighter? Mercedes F1 driver George Russell found out when he flew with the RAF's Typhoon display pilot, Flight Lieutenant Matt Brighty. InsideAIR watched from behind the scenes and brings you the story. (Photo credit: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team) InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.