No. 1 Radio School RAF

No. 1 Radio School RAF
Official Badge of No 1 Radio School RAF
Active	1915-1998 2003-present
Country	United Kingdom
Allegiance	NATO
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Training Unit
Role	Communication and Information Systems
Station	RAF Cosford
Motto(s)	Thorough
Insignia
School Badge heraldry	Sparks Badge

No. 1 Radio School is based at RAF Cosford and forms part of the Defence School of Communications and Information Systems. Its motto is Thorough, which was the motto of the Royal Air Force Electrical and Wireless School.^[1]

Mission

"To train Eng (CE) officers and Trade Group 4 personnel (Cyberspace Communications Specialists) to agreed output standards in order to enable cyberspace capabilities for the RAF and Defence."

History

The School was originally known as The School for Wireless Operators, and was part of the Royal Flying Corps, when it was formed at the Town Hall, Farnborough in 1915. The school was transferred to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1918 when the RAF was formed by Lord Trenchard, in 1919 the school was moved from Farnborough to RAF Flowerdown in Hampshire.

The school had a number of name changes from The Electrical & Wireless School, to No 1 Signals School, until finally becoming known as No 1 Radio School in 1943, when all radio and signal schools were called radio schools and there were 15 in total.

In 1950 the school moved from RAF Flowerdown to RAF Locking where is remained for the next 48 years, until it was disbanded on 1 Oct 98, where it become known as Communications-Electronics (C-E) Training Wing, 1 School of Technical Training (Det RAF Locking). The school was then re-formed at DSAE Cosford as No 1 Radio School, in Flowerdown Hall on the 60th anniversary of No 1 Radio School in 2003.

The school also incorporates the Aerial Erector School (AES) which is based at RAF Digby.^[2]

Role

No. 1 Radio School is responsible for Phase 2 and 3 training of RAF Engineering Communications Electronics (Eng CE) officers,^[3] Trade Group 4 Cyberspace Communications Specialists (formerly I.C.T. Technicians) ^[4] and Communications Infrastructure Technicians (commonly known as Aerial Erectors).^[5]

No 1 Radio School, DSAE Cosford

Phase 2 Training:

• Phase 2 training provides initial specialist training to prepare Service personnel for their first employment in the wider RAF. Phase 2 training normally follows on from Phase 1 Training, which is initial training in the basic military skills required by all Service personnel.

Phase 3 Training:

• Phase 3 Training prepares Service personnel for further employment with increased skill base and/or responsibility. It also encompasses training to meet career aspirations and professional development.

Training

The Radio School currently has 5 flights that deliver all phase 2 & 3 training to non-commissioned ranks, these are:

• ADASF (Air Defence & Systems Flight) - Covers Air Defence RADAR systems, Air Field Navigational aids and communication systems.
• AAG (Academic Accreditation Flight) - Deals with all the relevant course accreditation to professional bodies and companies.
• ICTF (Information Communications Technology Flight) - Covers Network Applications and Network Information Systems including Cyber Courses.
• TSISF (Trade Skills & Information Security Flight) - Covers hand skills such as fibre optic repairs, data communication installations, electrical hand skills and Health & Safety.
• TCF (Training and Consolidation Flight) - Covers the phase 3 promotion training for Junior Non-Commissioned Officers (JNCOs) and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs), an end of course consolidation exercise for the basic phase 2 trainees and also (DWT) Defence Work Based Training for the whole of RAF Cosford.

Cyberspace Communications Specialists

The purpose of Cyberspace Communications Specialist training is to:

• Train Cyberspace Communication Specialists to meet the RAF’s requirement for Cyber, communication, computers, information networks, sensors and detection systems, in order to undertake air operations.

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 skills and experiences ranging from Radar and Radio Principles to Network Administration and Cyber Security.

The final phase of training is conducted within TCF. 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.

Communication Infrastructure Technician (CIT)

The purpose of CIT training is to:

• Provide specialist Working at Height (WaH) and cable infrastructure training.

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

The purpose of EOFT (CE) is to:

• Prepare newly commissioned Junior Officers for their foundation tours as cyberspace engineers and information specialists.

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.

References