The RAF Beach Boys

In Early April the large expanse of Pembrey Sands Weapons Range, Wales, sprouted multiple orange markers, spaced out in the compacted sand. These were laid out by the RAF’s Tactical Air Traffic Controllers. This specialist team from RAF Brize Norton are responsible for testing the landing surface; marking out the temporary runway and communicating with the pilots as they land.

The purpose of this training is the RAF’s need to be able to insert cargo, troops and vehicles into austere unprepared surfaces and they utilise Pembrey Sands for this purpose, due to the make up of the surface.

During this training the A400M Atlas performed multiple ‘touch-and- go’ landings as well as full stop landing on the short temporary runway. Crew changes occurred during the day to ensure currency for some of the crews and initial training for others.

Thanks to all the RAF personnel for their support in capturing the images from the sandy location in South Wales.