Exercise Big T
By Des Roberts
In the Summer of 1974, 1(F) Squadron, then equipped with Harrier GR1's, took part in Exercise Big T at RAF Watton. It was the next best thing to operating from a deployed site, but had the advantage of hangar facilities, and we did not have to live in tents for a week as we were allowed to use the single accommodation! The object was to carry out 300 sorties in 3 days with 12 aircraft.
This was achieved, and for the most part, the aircraft remained serviceable. It gave us a taste of field deployments before we went to RAF Wildenrath the following year, where lots of fun was had by all! In the photo are L to R, Chris Atkinson, Roger Hemming, Des Roberts (me) and someone who I just cannot remember; after all, this was many years ago!
