Military AI Works

The 208 (Reserve) squadron, and the T1 Hawk aircraft it uses, are both set to be discontinued from April 13th.

The T1 hawk was first introduced in 1976 and is still used by the Red Arrows, the RAF’s air acrobatic team. The T2 was introduced in 2008 but full replacement of T1 operations is not expected until this time next year.

In February it was also announced the base will remain a fast jet training centre until at least 2033 as part of a £1.1bn investment across several sites.

Much thanks

Mark

If I am due to airtest a hawk T1 on a major sevicing this friday amI to asumme it will be mothballed early next year?
Regards Paul Day.
Hawk Major team.
Boscombe Down.

No - there's still 100 Squadron at Leeming!! Plus the Culdrose guys and the various aircraft you have at Boscombe (ETPS,RAFCAM). The Fast Jet training is going over to the T2, and as 208 is solely a training squadron, it's sadly folding. The T1 still has a long life left, hence the Majors you guys are doing.

No 208(R) Sqn, will conduct its final flight at 1330 hrs (Local) on Wednesday 13 April.

With all training courses now complete, the RAF’s final Hawk T1 Advanced Flying Training Squadron will pay homage to previous Hawk T1 units and iconic landmarks in and around Wales; the Nation that 208(R) Sqn instructors and students alike have grown to love over the last 22 years.

Having recently celebrated its 100th Anniversary, 208(R) Sqn has been scheduled for closure in 2016 and 13 April, the end of Hawk T1 flying at RAF Valley, marks the first stage of the squadron disbandment. Not only will this be the last flight for 208(R) Sqn, it also marks the end of 40 years of Hawk T1 Flying Training, the task now fully being undertaken by IV(R) Sqn with the Hawk T2.

Sad Times!!

Much thanks

Mark