DCAE Cosford (Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering) 11th May 2009

The Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE) was established on 1 April 2004 as a result of the Defence Training Review (DTR) and will soon move to a new site at RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The principal task of the DCAE is to provide a high quality aeronautical engineering (AE) training. The DCAE is supporting the development of a partnered solution for Defence Training with a joint workforce composed of service members of the RAF, civil servants and private sector partners. The majority of the private sector workers are ex members of the RAF.

A number of other training schools are based at Cosford across four sites, including

• No 1 school of technical training,
• No 1 school of radio training and communications electronics
• The defence school of photography
• RAF school of physical training
• A unit providing training in the provision and maintenance of survival equipment

The DCAE is responsible for the provision of all Phase 2 and some Phase 3 training for all aeronautical engineers for the UK Armed Services.

Phase 2 Training is an initial specialist training which prepares Service personnel for their first employment. (It normally follows on from Phase 1 Training, which is initial training in the basic military skills required by all Service personnel).

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.

One of those interesting statements that you hear when talking to members of the RAF was heard over a cup of coffee at Cosford between two people serving together at one of the training schools. I will leave you to decide for yourself which force the speaker came from who said

‘The RAF has habits, the navy has customs.'

I was again pleased to see the attention given to maximising the opportunity for civilian qualifications, this supports recruitment and is positive for the future. With the new focus on partnership working with private sector equipment suppliers there is potential private sector employment on leaving the RAF for skilled people.

The RAF places great store on high levels of skills and to achieve this funds foundation degrees for 30 people a year in Engineering

I found this visit fascinating. Moving between the training establishments gave an understanding of the vast array of skills being taught at Cosford. We saw parachutes being packaged and tested, kit for crews ejecting from planes over the sea being tested (I especially enjoyed opening up a life raft from an emergency kit and climbing aboard).

The school of photography was spectacular. The quality of the images and the insight given into life on the front line was wonderful. Claire and Juan agreed to wear the kit carried by photographers in theatre and only just managed to keep standing during the presentation.

Photographers are expected to carry the normal military kit then also carry their specialist kit. You have to be super fit to be a photographer which is why I did not volunteer to try it out.

We joined a unit which was undertaking Deployed Ops training, teaching security skills to use in theatre. We also had the chance to sample ration packs provided for use outside of base camp. The food was palatable and full of variety as well as high in calories to keep energy levels up.

Cosford also provides International Defence Training for personnel from Middle Eastern states.

For more info visit: http://www.raf.mod.uk/dcaecosford/