Royal Air Force Germany Harrier Force: Volume 2: Peace And The Falklands 1974-1983

Royal Air Force Germany was the main user of the RAF's Harriers during the Cold War. While the Harrier was unique in itself, the Germany-based Harrier Force is still unmatched - no other air force has routinely taken large numbers of fast-jet aircraft into unprepared fields and woods, operating them in constant readiness for combat. The Force was also much more than just the Harrier and its pilots - the deployed Force included engineers, suppliers, cooks, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, RAF Regiment and many others. This second volume of The Royal Air Force Germany Harrier Force describes the continued development of the Harrier Force at RAF Wildenrath, and its move to RAF Gütersloh in 1977, all with the continual risks of high-intensity training. It covers the Germany-based squadrons' detachments to Belize and then how the Harrier Force became deeply embroiled in the 1982 Falklands conflict, while simultaneously trying to maintain its support to NATO. The book concludes at the end of 1983 when the Harrier Force had returned to its core Cold War tasks. It also examines the engineering support required by the Harrier, on and off base. AUTHOR: Tim Brandt was an engineering officer in the RAF for 33 years, reaching the rank of group captain. His first tour out of training was on 4 Squadron's Harriers at RAF Gütersloh, where he spent three years on the Harrier Force at the height of the Cold War. After leaving the RAF, he worked as an aviation safety consultant. He has degrees in mechanical engineering, defence management and defence studies, and is a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He is currently vice-chairman of the Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum. He has had a life-long passion for aviation and its history. 64 colour, 100 b/w illustrations