Airborne Delivery Wing
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| Airborne Delivery Wing | |
|---|---|
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| Unit name | Airborne Delivery Wing |
| Caption | Parachute training at RAF Brize Norton |
| Dates | 1940–present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | Parachute training and airborne delivery |
| Garrison | RAF Brize Norton |
| Nickname | ADW |
Airborne Delivery Wing
The Airborne Delivery Wing is the Royal Air Force's principal parachute training and airborne delivery establishment, providing specialist instruction in parachuting, military freefall and air transport operations for personnel from the Royal Air Force, British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Foreign and Commonwealth partners and civilian agencies. It traces lineage to Second World War parachute training units formed during the Battle of Britain and evolved through Cold War reorganisations influenced by events such as the Berlin Airlift and the formation of NATO. The Wing operates from RAF Brize Norton and interfaces with organisations including the Parachute Regiment, Special Air Service, Special Boat Service, Joint Helicopter Command and international training centres.
History
The unit originated from wartime training schools created in response to lessons from the Battle of France and early airborne experiments involving units like the 1st Airborne Division and 6th Airborne Division. Post-1945, continuing demand from the Suez Crisis and counterinsurgency campaigns saw consolidation of parachute training at bases associated with the Royal Air Force Regiment and remnant wartime establishments. During the Cold War, doctrine shaped by NATO exercises such as Exercise Reforger and operations including the Falklands War prompted equipment and syllabus updates. The modern Airborne Delivery Wing was formalised amid restructuring influenced by the Options for Change defence review and subsequent strategic defence reviews linked to deployments like Operation Granby and Operation Herrick.
Organisation and Structure
The Wing is organised into squadrons and flights aligned to training, equipment, and operational delivery, reporting through RAF chain-of-command structures connected to No. 2 Group RAF and station command at RAF Brize Norton. Embedded elements liaise with the Parachute Training School concept, the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment heritage, and joint units from the Joint Forces Command and Joint Aviation Group. Administrative and logistics support draws on elements from RAF Personnel and Training Command and maintenance support tied to Defence Equipment and Support. International liaison sections work with counterparts at the United States Army Airborne School, the French Airborne Troops School, and NATO parachute centres.
Training Programs
Training covers static-line parachuting, military freefall (MFF), tandem parachute instruction, canopy control and instructor courses for personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force Regiment, and international services including the United States Marine Corps, Canadian Armed Forces, Australian Army, and NATO partner nations. Syllabi integrate lessons from airborne operations studies referencing Operation Market Garden, Operation Varsity, and special operations doctrines used by the Special Air Service and Special Boat Service. Courses incorporate aviation components liaising with RAF Transport Command and helicopter operations familiar to Joint Helicopter Command. Accreditation and safety are aligned to standards used by civilian organisations such as the British Parachute Association when appropriate.
Aircraft and Equipment
The Wing employs RAF transport aircraft including types historically associated with airborne forces such as the Handley Page Hastings, the Short Stirling, and the modern fleet including the C-130 Hercules, the C-17 Globemaster III, and the A400M Atlas operated by RAF squadrons. Helicopter platforms used for rotary-wing parachute delivery tie into fleets like the Westland Wessex, Chinook HC2, and types operated under Joint Helicopter Command. Parachute systems evolved from wartime reserve parachutes to modern ram-air canopies, static-line gear, and military freefall equipment influenced by manufacturers and testing at establishments like the Royal Aircraft Establishment and standards bodies such as NATO Standardization Office.
Operations and Deployments
Personnel trained by the Wing have supported operations across the conflict spectrum, including airborne insertions in North Africa Campaign contexts, Cold War NATO deployments such as Exercise Cold Response, the Falklands Conflict logistics air drops, and expeditionary campaigns like Operation Telic and Operation Herrick. The Wing has provided expertise for humanitarian air drops coordinated with agencies allied to the United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross during crises where precision airdrop capability proved essential. Liaison with special operations during operations in the Gulf War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) saw graduates attached to units including the Special Air Service and inter-service task forces.
Notable Personnel and Alumni
Alumni include decorated parachute instructors and graduates who later served in formations such as the Parachute Regiment, the Special Air Service, and senior RAF officers who commanded at stations like RAF Brize Norton and group headquarters such as No. 2 Group RAF. Historical figures connected by training lineage include veterans of Operation Market Garden and leaders who took part in post-war airborne doctrine development at establishments like the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment and policy roles within the Ministry of Defence. International alumni have gone on to high office in partner services including commanders from the United States Army airborne community and NATO airborne formations.