Having completed ENT at 703 Sqn Observer Training Flight observers move to 750 NAS to train on the new ‘Avenger’ aircraft. Here they learn about systems and sensor management and how to operate an aircraft in all weathers before being streamed to one of the three maritime helicopter types.
750 NAS Basic Observer Training
750 NAS at RNAS Culdrose has been conducting ab-initio (from the start) observer training for over 30 years. From October 2011 students will undergo a new training package under the UKMFTS umbrella on the King Air ‘Avenger’ aircraft.
The Squadron is commanded by a Lieutenant Commander, who himself is an observer, and made up of a mix of both civilian and military instructors. The training system makes use of state of the art equipment, both within the aircraft and on the ground, capable of synthetically replicating a range of modern front line sensors, such as Radars, Electronic Support Measures and Tactical Data Links.
Over the 14-week Basic Flying Training course trainees build on the elementary navigation skills taught at RAF Barkston Heath to ensure that they can navigate in all weathers before learning how to operate these sensors to tactically deploy an aircraft. From searching for a survivor in a Search and Rescue role to controlling another aircraft to seek out and find a potential enemy 100 miles out to sea they challenge themselves on a daily basis. They learn how to command a crew and get the most from their aircraft in an exciting and demanding environment.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Chris Barber
- RANK:
- Lieutenant Commander
- JOINED:
- 1993
- SPECIALISATION:
- PREVIOUS UNITS:
- 857 NAS, 849 NAS
Military experience
Lieutenant Commander Chris Barber has taken command of 750 Naval Air Squadron from Lieutenant Commander Nick Armstrong at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.
Born in Oxford and educated at Abingdon School before graduating with honours at the University of Birmingham Chris joined the Royal Navy in 1993 and after initial training at BRNC Dartmouth, trained as an Observer in the Fleet Air Arm.
Gaining his wings in 1996 he was appointed to 849 Naval Air Squadron “A” Flight serving in HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious. This included operational tours in support of NATO operations in Kosovo and in the northern Arabian Gulf, also serving in USS Carl Vinson and USS Theodore Roosevelt as the Royal Navy Aviation Officer.
Subsequently appointed to 750 Squadron as an Observer Instructor, he was selected for an exchange tour with the RAF, teaching RAF Navigators and Weapon System Officers on the Dominie aircraft and returned to RNAS Culdrose in November 2004 as the Chief Observer Instructor responsible for observer grading and teaching the next generation of observer and aircrewman instructors.
Returning to the Airborne Early Warning community in 2007 he was appointed to 857 Naval Air Squadron as the Operations Officer and saw deployments on RFA Fort Austin and RFA Argus in support of counter-piracy and counter-terrorism operations.
Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 2007 and appointed as Senior Observer of 849 Naval Air Squadron in 2008, he was responsible for the provision of sufficient crews within the Sea King ASaC community to enable the deployment of the force to Afghanistan in 2009.
Lieutenant Commander Barber was then appointed to HQ Navy Command responsible for Observer training in the Royal Navy during the Strategic Defence and Security Review of 2010, and the implementation of the United Kingdom Military Flying Training System for RN Observer training commencing in 2011.
He assumed his current post as Commanding Officer of 750 Naval Air Squadron in November 2011 and will oversee the arrival of the new Avenger aircraft to the Squadron. He Lives in Falmouth with his wife Tamsin.
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