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Qatari Airforce at RAF Leeming

 

Photographs from a Photo Chase of the newly stood-up 25(F) Squadron Hawk T2 and IV(AC) Squadron Hawk T2. The Hawks are based at RAF Valley, Anglesey, and due to squadron sizes and manpower, the decision was made to split IV(AC) Sqn in two. Wing Commander Tim Simmons will be Officer Commanding of the new squadron, an ex-Harrier pilot, he is keen to get the squadron up and running. When Pilots graduate from IV(AC) Sqn, they will still go to their Operational Conversion Units (OCU) on the Typhoon or F-35B Lightning II. 25(F) Sqn has been stood up to accommodate the increase in numbers of front line pilots.

 

Templeman Design has delivered multi-discipline designs for new-build Aircraft Maintenace Support Facilities and Squadron Headquarters, together with the refurbishment of existing facilities to provide additional operational support for pilot training and aircraft maintenance. Project Value of Circa £6m with Architectural, Structural and Mechanical and Electrical design work completed in an accelerated four-month period.

The joint Hawk training squadron at RAF Leeming is expected to stand up in September this year. The squadron will deliver Advanced Jet Training (AJT) to QEAF and RAF pilots and will be home to Qatar’s recently acquired nine Hawk T2 Mk167 aircraft, which are currently being built by BAE Systems at Warton, Lancashire.

The formation of a second UK-Qatar joint squadron will provide additional flying hours for RAF pilots and see long-term international investment in new infrastructure and training facilities at RAF Leeming. This will include a Hawk training simulator and the refurbishment of existing facilities.

The decision to base the new squadron at RAF Leeming represents a long-term commitment to the base, which provides a strategic and operational Main Operating Base for the RAF.