CPT/AV - Plans Officer
4 Regiment Army Air Corps
Please choose from one of the below section titles or scroll through the page for information.
Description of duty position and work environment
The exchange officer will work in a line squadron either as a flight commander or squadron operations officer. Initially, the exchange officer can expect to be a flight commander for a period of approximately six months after completing the Lynx conversion course. For the remainder of the tour, the exchange officer will be a squadron operations officer.
Duty Description:
After the initial week of in processing, the new exchange officer will proceed to the School of Army Aviation (SAAvn) at Middle Wallop, located Southwest of London in the Andover, Salisbury area and complete the Lynx Conversion Course. The course at Middle Wallop is similar to AQC courses you attend at Fort Rucker. IN all, the Lynx Conversion is approximately nine weeks. More information will be provided to the exchange officer prior to the start of the Lynx conversion.
The unit of assignment for aviation exchange officers is 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC) located at Wattisham Airfield in the Southeast of England. The general region is called East Anglia. It is located 20 miles Northeast of Colchester, 9 miles West of Ipswich, and 5 miles South of Stowmarket. Wattisham Airfield is the home to 3 Regiment AAC, 4 Regiment AAC 7 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), 132 Supply Unit Royal Logistics Corps (RLC), and B Flight 22 Squadron (Search and Rescue) Royal Air Force.
4 Regiment AAC is assigned to 16th Air Assault Brigade with Headquarters in Colchester. The Brigade is a rapid deployment unit with recent operations in Iraq, Macedonia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan. 4 Regiment consists of a Headquarters Squadron, two Anti-Tank Helicopter Squadrons, a Light Battlefield Helicopter (LBH)Squadron, and a REME Workshop. The Regiment is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. The total authorized strength is 436 personnel, roughly equivalent to a U.S. Aviation Battalion.
The regiment is made up of 669 Squadron (Anti-tank Lynx), 654 Squadron (Gazelle reconnaissance), and 659 Squadron (Support Lynx). Each squadron is made up of two aircrew flights, commanded by a captain, a supply section, a motor transport section, and an attached maintenance section. Each squadron has eight helicopters of
their respective type.
669 Squadron AAC Anti-tank has historically been the exchange Squadron; however, with the upcoming move to Longbow Apache, it is possible for the exchange officer to be assigned to any of the three Squadrons. Upon arrival, expect to be placed in one of the flights as the flight command. Flight commander is responsible for the training and care of approximately 10-12 pilots (Sergeant to Captain). Each Squadron is authorized two flight commanders, but it is normal for only one to be in the position. The flight command position is a good place to learn the British Army Aviation ways of conducting business and training before assuming duties as the Squadron Operations Officer. After approximately 6-8 months, the exchange officer can expect to assume duties as the Squadron Operations Officer. The Squadron Operations officers is responsible for the implementation of the Officer Commanding's (Squadron OC) training objectives, as well as coordinating all requirements for both operations and training events. The operations officer also functions as a fully current combat crew. At the Regimental level, the operations officer is a Captain also with a Staff Sergeant up to Warrant Officer One as an assistant. Many tasks are delegated to the Squadrons to the Squadron Operations Officer is a busy and important position.
Physical Fitness & Gym Facilities
The Squadron conducts physical training three times a week (Tues, Thurs, and Fri). Friday PT is called Commanding Officer's PT, and the entire regiment musters to conduct PT as a regiment. The focus in the British Army is running and cardiovascular training with little emphasis on strength and upper body training. Wattisham Airfield has a recently built gym with an indoor heated pool, basket ball court, two weight training areas, and well as Squash courts. The British Army does not have a standard PT uniform, so civilian clothes are the norm. I would, however, wear my U.S. Army issued PT uniform, but it was not required.
Uniforms & Apparel
The duty uniform is the same as it is in the U.S. Army. Normally I wear BDUs on days that I do not fly. If I expect to fly I will wear either Aviation BDUs or the one piece nomex flight suit. All other flying clothing (helmets, vests, etc) will be issued by the station. The exchange officer should also bring a full complement of at least 2 suits, a tuxedo, and also mess dress uniform. While at Middle Wallop and dining in the Officers Mess, a suit if the required dress. One day a week in the mess they will relax this standard to a coat and tie. While in the regiment, expect to attend numerous social events where the dress will be either tuxedo or mess dress. While on exchange, I have never worn my Class A or Dress Blue uniform (still required to bring though).
Camp URL
Sorry, unfortunately there are no websites for this camp.
Description of Housing
There is ample on base housing for the exchange officer. I highly recommend living on camp during this tour as the rent is very affordable as compared to off base housing, and you will be located within a two minute bicycle ride to work in the mornings. The houses for officers on base are 3-bedroom with 2 bathrooms. They have a living room and formal dining room. The house we live in on base is approximately 1500 Square Feet. My family had to leave many of our belongings in storage in the U.S. The closet space and storage space here is quite limited and the bedrooms are fairly small as compared to a comparable house in the U.S. Nonetheless, the quarters are very nice and the neighborhood is quiet with many children. The rent for on base housing is approximately 230 BPS ($450 approximately on the current exchange rate). OHA will more than cover the cost of the rent and utilities. OHA and COLA are determined using the Felixstowe area. COLA varies monthly based on the exchange rate, but recently has been running in excess of $1200 a month to offset the high cost of living the U.K.
All quarters have 220 Volt power. You will be issued 2 - 2000 Watt transformers for a bulk of your needs. However, you will find that you will need additional smaller transformers throughout the house. I have several smaller transformers that will be available to hand over to my replacement. I also have many plug converters that I have acquired that will be handed over also.
The television system here is PAL. So unless your television you are bringing over from the U.S. is a multi-region, you will either have to buy and new television or go without. Many of the newer televisions purchased are multi-region to support PAL broadcasts. The are several stations you can receive for free using an antenna, or you can purchases cable television or satellite from Sky Satellite. Cable is not offered at Wattisham Airfield so I chose to go with Sky Satellite. I have the full package and pay approximately $90 a month. Sky also offers the North American Sports Network (www.NASN.com) which officers a full range of sports back in the U.S. Each household in the U.K. that operates a television is required to possess a TV license. This is renewed annually at a cost of approximately $300.
RAF Croughton will provide you with the basic appliances. I currently have a refrigerator, microwave, washer & dryer and 2x2000 Watt transformers. There is a small fee which is automatically taken from your pay monthly for these appliances. More than likely RAF Croughton will hand my appliance over to you as I out process Wattisham. I have a pamphlet which has all the information on setting up an account with RAF Croughton.
Medical and Dental care
Fortunately, Wattisham Airfield is only an hour's drive from RAF Lakenheath & Mildenhaul (U.S. Air Force Bases). Lakenheath has a full service hospital which will cover all of your family's needs on medical and dental care. Upon arrival in theater, you can set up a Tricare Prime account at Lakenheath. There also is an option to use the National Health Service (NHS) here locally at any of the areas. NHS is a socialized medical system here in the U.K. and as a member of the U.K. Forces you qualify for this service. For the service member, there is a medical center on the airfield which has flight surgeons to accommodate as required.
Description of Military Post Office, Commissary and PX Facilities
We receive mail at both our home using a British address and at RAF Lakenheath through an APO mail box. You can get your mail at either Lakenheath or Mildenhaul. Packages and online orders can normally be mailed to your APO mail box. Items purchased in the UK will typically be mailed to your home at Wattisham Arifield.
There is a small Spar (Shopette-equivalent) on Wattisham Airfield. For your normal shopping you will travel to RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhaul. Lakenheath has a full size Commissary and PX. Mildenhaul has a PX-extra and a small Commissary. Fortunately, these facilities are only an hour away. My family travels almost weekly to these locations for food and other needs. What religious services are available locally?
What religious services are available locally?
There is a small church on the camp as well as several local churches available to use.
Banking
Most of the utilities in the UK will have to be paid using a Sterling Account that can be set up either locally at a bank, or at the Community Bank which is located at all U.S. military installations in the UK. The advantage of using the Community Bank is you only need an ID Card to get an account established and their are branches at all US installations throughout the UK. Recently, Community Bank has incorporated online banking to make it easier to access your account. Local banks will require proof of residence, a utility bill, or some other means to verify that you live in the UK. Many services in the UK can be paid by direct debit - giving the service the authority to withdrawl money directly from your Sterling Account each month. Most mobile phone companies require Direct Debit to use their service, as an example. Typically, the exchange officer can set up an allotment from his/her pay to be deposited monthly into the Sterling Account. Rent and all utilities can be paid out of this account.
Schools
Because Wattisham is not located near any DoD School, you can benefit from a program where you can choose which school your children will attend. DoDDS will cover the costs of tuition if the school requires it. Uniform costs will have to be paid by the service member and will average about $100-200 depending on the school requirements. Both public and private schools will require that students wear standard uniforms. My children attend a local private school, Great Finborough School. The school provides transportation to and from the school to Wattisham Airfield.
POV Information
To which destination did you ship your vehicle to the UK, approximate cost of modifications to make the car pass initial MOT, approximate cost of road tax, which make/model of car do you drive and what is the availability of maintenance for your car and cars in general.
Your POV can be shipped from many stateside locations to the UK. It will take approximately 30-45 days to get your vehicle. The vehicle can be picked up locally either at Brandon (near Lakenheath) or at West Ruislip (Northwest London). Once your car arrives, you will have 30 days to get it modified to UK standards. The typical vehicle will cost about $150-300 to get it up to U.K. specifications. If you care is less than 3 years old, then a MOT will not be required. However, if it is over 3 years old, then a MOT inspection will typically cost about $150 annually. For the first year in county, you will not be required to pay a road tax; however, after the initial year road tax disc will cost about $300 a year to maintain. Road tax disc can be obtained from Mildenhaul.
Miscellaneous
|
