Tactical Communications Wing RAF

Tactical Communications Wing (TCW) provides communications facilities to deployed units of the Royal Air Force.

TCW personnel and their 90 Signals Unit counterparts were, due to their deployable nature, within a discrete portion of the RAF that were authorised to wear a DPM uniform full-time. This authorisation was rescinded in October 2008 when it was declared that all RAF personnel were to wear the standard blue uniform unless on operations.

Until the amalgamation with 90 Signals Unit in 2006, TCW personnel could be distinguished by both their rank slides, embroided with the letters 'TCW' and the Wing badge (the rock dove with lightning bolt). Upon amalgamation, the latter was replaced with that of 90 Signals Unit.

TCW is currently a lodger unit at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

TCW's motto is "Ubique Loquimur" which translates to "We Speak Everywhere!".

History
TCW's roots can be traced back to 1962, and the forming of 38 Group Support Unit. It was then quickly realised that communications played a large part in supporting operations. In 1965 No. 50 Tactical Signals Unit was formed and as it grew in size was renamed, in 1967 to Tactical Signals Wing then again in 1969 to its current name, Tactical Communications Wing.

TCW has played its part in many operational theatres worldwide, including providing communications and meteorological services in the Falklands War, both Gulf Wars, Operation Granby, Operation Barras, Operation Phylis, Sarajevo, Nepal, Northern Ireland, Turkey, Angola, Rwanda, Operation Warden, Operation Jural, Operation Veritas and Operation Herrick.

During Operation Telic TCW provided vital communications infrastructure in support of air operations.

Wing Role
The Wing's role is to install, operate and maintain transportable tactical communications and information systems, in support of RAF Squadrons and Units, deployed worldwide in support of National interests. When not deployed the Wing carries out numerous training exercises (including Exercise Magic Carpet - hosted by Oman) in preparation for operations as well as visiting airshows around the UK.

Organisational Structure
Tactical Communications Wing is commanded by an RAF Wing Commander, with each of its four squadrons commanded by an RAF Squadron Leader.

The Squadrons
The four Field Communications Squadrons are split into teams that can deploy at short notice to anywhere in the world with a wide variety of equipment.
 * No 1 Field Communications (FC) Squadron
 * No 2 Field Communications (FC) Squadron
 * No 3 Field Communications (FC) Squadron
 * No 4 Field Communications (FC) Squadron

Personnel
TCW is manned by RAF Trade Group 4 ICT Technicians and Trade Group 4 Aerial Erectors. Trade Group 4 ICT Technicians consists of the old Trade Group 3 (Electronics Technicians) and Trade Group 11 (Tele Communications Operators) who have undergone assimilation training to amalgamate them into Trade Group 4. Trade Group 4 also has direct entry personnel who possess the same desired skill set as the assimilated Trade Group 3 and Trade Group 11.

Amalgamation and Relocation
In April 2006 Tactical Communications Wing was amalgamated into 90 Signals Unit. Force elements from RAF Brize Norton, RAF High Wycombe and RAF Sealand relocated to RAF Leeming in Yorkshire between Summer 2007 and Summer 2009 as part of the creation of the A6 Communications hub.

In December 2009 TCW completed another restructuring programme with No 1 Expeditionary Radar and Airfield (ERA) Squadron becoming No 1 Field Communications (FC) Squadron, with personnel from the former Squadron being incorporated into the four FC Squadrons. No 1 (ERA) Squadron's role was to deploy, support and recover a wide range of airfield sensors, navigational aids and information infrastructure worldwide. This role is still carried out by specialist teams within the field Communications squadrons.

Furthermore, No 5 Information Systems (IS) Squadron moved under the control of 90 SU Force generation Wing.

TCW and 90SU RAFA Branch and Memorial
The TCW and 90SU Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association. Formed on 01 Apr 10 the Branch has been created not only to promote the relevance and aims of RAFA but also to be a focal point for current and ex serving members of the Unit. To develop further the friendships and the esprit de corps they experienced whilst serving on the Unit. There has been for many years an interest in forming an Association/Organization for those who have served, or are serving, on the most prestigious Unit in the RAF. It is hoped that the RAFA Branch will provide the conduit for this. Being the first virtual Branch of RAFA this initiative has paved the way for similar Branches to be formed within the Association. It has created a new method of promoting RAFA and demonstrating that it has as much relevance today as the day it was formed. The Branch is also the first to have its own website (tcwand90su.com) and this initiative also helps to promote the Association in a way that has previously not been done before. The RAFA Branch will ensure that the Unit Memorial, dedicated in 2008, and located at the Armed Forces Memorial Arboretum will stand as apermanent reminder to those who lost their lives whilst serving in the Royal Air Force. For those wishing to visit the Memorial it is situated at the beginning of the RAF Section. A suitable location for considering that TCW are inevitably the first Unit to deploy in support of conflicts past and present.

Rockstar Parody
In 2007 several members of No 4 Squadron created a parody of Nickelback's music video, Rockstar, whilst serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan.