InsideAIR

A 'behind the wire' view of the Royal Air Force, its people, technology and operations. Official podcast of the RAF in the UK.

Ep 147: Exercise RIMPAC in Hawaii 08/04/2026

Ep 147: Exercise RIMPAC in Hawaii In this episode of InsideAIR, we're heading to one of the most important military locations in the Pacific, Hawaii, for Exercise RIMPAC 2026. Every other year, the island of Hawaii hosts a huge exercise with personnel from more than 30 nations working together across the air, sea and land domains. A multinational exercise like RIMPAC takes a significant amount of planning and preperation, as InsideAIR's Squadron Leader Amy Casey discovered when she joined some of those taking part. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/42305410

Ep 146: The Work of the Mobile Met Unit 07/21/2026

Ep 146: The Work of the Mobile Met Unit In this episode, we’ll catch up with the meteorologists from the Mobile Met Unit to find out about their work and we’ll hear how military met forecasting came into being. Flt Lt Chris Sully chats to a current forecaster about the support they offer for operations and planning and we hear about arguably the most important forecast in history ahead of the release of a film telling the story in the lead up to D-Day. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/42150185

Ep 145: Defence Science & Technology Laboratory 07/07/2026

Ep 145: Defence Science & Technology Laboratory Since we last caught up, the Defence Investment Plan, or DIP, has been published, focussing on the move toward the RAF becoming Europe’s first sixth-generation air force. Technology will be front & centre of the future RAF and with that comes even closer ties with our industry & research partners. Amongst those partners is the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory, known as DSTL, and in this episode of InsideAIR, Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully goes behind the wire at their Porton Down Base in Wiltshire to see how that might look. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/41965860

Ep 144: Hidden In Plain Sight - RAF Reservists 06/22/2026

Ep 144: Hidden In Plain Sight - RAF Reservists In this episode we’ll hear about a unique presentation of a bronze Employer Recognition Scheme award which took place 20,000 feet above the ground on an easyJet flight from Luton to Jersey The Employer Recognition Scheme is an MOD initiative to encourage and recognise companies which demonstrate an outstanding commitment to supporting serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families. Recently easyJet earned bronze status and the presentation took place onboard one of their flights, piloted by RAF Reservists and fulltime commercial pilots. Sqn Ldr Lesley Woods joined the flight from Luton Airport /episode/index/show/insideair/id/41723810

Ep 143: Only Way in by Parachute – a Doctor’s Story 06/09/2026

Ep 143: Only Way in by Parachute – a Doctor’s Story The slogan says, ‘no ordinary job’. So, imagine being asked to parachute into a tiny, remote island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean for a lifesaving mission, oh, and you’ve never jumped out of an aircraft before. In this week's InsideAir, Sqn Ldr Amy speaks with an RAF doctor who did just that. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/41576835

Ep 142: Operation BILOXI in Romania 05/26/2026

Ep 142: Operation BILOXI in Romania Operation BILOXI in Romania has seen the Royal Air Force deploy again, all be it to a new airfield, in support of NATO’s air policing mission in the region. The four month deployment is at the very heart of the RAF strategy to be ready to fly & fight, showing that the Royal Air Force is always agile, integrated and ready. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/41417540

Ep 141: InsideAIR Special - Ukrainian Students Graduate RAF Elementary Flying Training 05/16/2026

Ep 141: InsideAIR Special - Ukrainian Students Graduate RAF Elementary Flying Training The latest cohort of Ukrainian students has successfully graduated from the RAF Elementary Flying Training programme. Hear what they thought of RAF training in this InsideAIR special. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/41254600

Ep 140: Salisbury Poisonings and the RAF Regiment's Response 05/12/2026

Ep 140: Salisbury Poisonings and the RAF Regiment's Response Channel 4's documentary 'Salisbury Poisonings: The Untold Story' explores one of the most significant domestic incidents in recent UK history. InsideAIR speaks with Group Captain Chez who led the UK Defence response to the incident. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/41254040

Ep 139: The RAF Warfighters Guide to AI 04/28/2026

Ep 139: The RAF Warfighters Guide to AI The impact of artificial intelligence is being felt in everyday life, the media and the military, but how is it changing the RAF, its people, technology and operations? InsideAIR speaks to AI expert, Sqn Ldr Ben, to find some answers. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/41023200

Ep 138: Exercise Malta March 04/15/2026

Ep 138: Exercise Malta March In this episode, we find out how WWII lessons are shaping today’s RAF operations. 35 Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel have spent a week in Malta, exploring historic sites, war graves, and museums connected to WWII's legacy with modern RAF operations. In this special edition of InsideAIR two reservists, Ash & Louise, take over to share the highlights and insights from Exercise Malta March. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/40875520

Ep 137: Air and Space Combat Power PART 2 03/31/2026

Ep 137: Air and Space Combat Power PART 2 The Air and Space Combat Power Visit (ASCPV) gave guests from all branches of the UK’s Armed Forces, British Government and military allies and partners globally an insight to how the RAF operates. In the final part this two-part feature, we take a look at Combat Air, Air to Air Refuelling with Voyager, and we hear from Joint Aviation Command, including their innovations with helicopter launched first person view drones. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/40689675

Ep 136: Air and Space Combat Power PART 1 03/19/2026

Ep 136: Air and Space Combat Power PART 1 Hosted by RAF Brize Norton, the Air and Space Combat Power Visit (ASCPV) gave guests from all branches of the UK’s Armed Forces, British Government and military allies and partners globally an insight to how the RAF operates. In Part 1 of this two part feature, we hear from the Chief of the Air Staff and personnel from Space Command, Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition and Reconnaissance, Global Enablement and Air Mobility. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/40545485

Ep 135: AOC 2 Group - Vincemus 03/06/2026

Ep 135: AOC 2 Group - Vincemus It’s been two years since Air Vice-Marshal Jason Appleton was appointed as Air Officer Commanding 2 Group. So, before he moves on, the InsideAIR team thought it would be good to find out what 2 Group does and how it enables the RAF to fly, fight and win across the globe. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/40340830

Ep 134: Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems 02/17/2026

Ep 134: Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems In this episode, we’re talking Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems or C-UAS. What are they, how does it work and who makes up the team behind it all? InsideAIR’s Flt Lt Chris Sully spoke with Sqn Ldr Dan Quayle, the Officer Commanding of Training & Standards at RAF Leeming to find out about their work in the UK and, recently in Belgium and Denmark. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/40125215

Ep 133: Enabling Cyber within Airbases 02/03/2026

Ep 133: Enabling Cyber within Airbases In this episode, we're talking Air Cyberspace and the move toward the Airbase Enablement Force (AEF) From keeping our tech up-to-date and in good order, to future planning how we might engage with IT in the years ahead, the Air Cyberspace Services Centre team work behind the scenes around the clock as Flt Lt Chris Sully found out. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/39962880

Ep 132: Increasing the RAF’s IQ 01/23/2026

Ep 132: Increasing the RAF’s IQ There are some fantastic opportunities to learn and gain academic qualifications available through the Directorate of Defence Studies for the RAF, but they’re for other people, not me, right? Wrong … One of the truly unique opportunities the Royal Air Force offers, is the chance to get paid whilst you study and gain academic qualifications. And the great news is that studying with Directorate of Defence Studies for the RAF is available to all RAF personnel, regular & reserve, regardless of rank. Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney caught up with some of the team which leads the Directorate of Defence studies for the RAF /episode/index/show/insideair/id/39826850

Ep 131: 5 Years 'Behind the Wire' 01/06/2026

Ep 131: 5 Years 'Behind the Wire' After 131 episodes and 5,565 minutes of fortnightly content, the official podcast of the RAF is 5 years old. As we celebrate this milestone of the longest running regular podcast in the UK Armed Forces, we’ll reveal the most downloaded episodes from each of the past 5 years. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/39607050

Ep 130: RAF Medical Services Support & Opportunities 12/23/2025

Ep 130: RAF Medical Services Support & Opportunities In the final episode of 2025, we head to High Wycombe to meet with some of the RAF Medical Services team. We'll hear about the support they provide to 'Fly & Fight' through nursing, paramedics and their Allied Health Professionals. Flt Lt Chris Sully also finds out about the unique career opportunities on offer with the RAF and how you can earn whilst you train. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/39452805

Ep 129: Exercise Southern Sunrise Part 2 12/09/2025

Ep 129: Exercise Southern Sunrise Part 2 In this episode we’re heading back to the Falkland Islands on exercise Southern Sunrise with the RAF Regiment reserves. We're back in the South Atlantic for the live firing phase and AS1 Chris Keen also explores the unique opportunities visiting troops can explore when the training is done. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/39321310

Ep 128: Exercise Southern Sunrise Part 1 11/25/2025

Ep 128: Exercise Southern Sunrise Part 1 In this episode, we’re going on exercise with the RAF Regiment Reserves to the South Atlantic. Exercise Southern Sunrise saw members of the RAuxAF Regiment deploy to the Falkland Islands to conduct overseas Annual Continuation Training or ACT. The aim was to cultivate and enhance a ‘ready to fight’ culture to optimise and integrate the RAuxAF Regt in support of operations, assigned tasks, contingencies, and warfighting. We sent AS1 Chris Keen along with them. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/39151020

Ep 127: Veteran Voices 11/11/2025

Ep 127: Veteran Voices Listening to those who served before can inspire those who serve today. In this episode, Media Officer Flight Lieutenant Mark McKinstry delves into the archive of some of the interviews he recorded with World War II veterans. The RAF's aircraft may have changed but the fighting spirit of its people remains as relevant today as always. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/38982520

Ep 126: Warfighting Mindset at Lossiemouth 10/28/2025

Ep 126: Warfighting Mindset at Lossiemouth What does it mean to be serving and living on one of the RAF's frontline stations as the world becomes a more unstable place? As global instability grows, what does that mean for us across the Royal Air Force? How do we prepare — professionally and personally — for what may lie ahead? Inside Air’s Squadron Leader Peter Lisney spoke with Squadron Leader Jo at Lossiemouth to explore how the station is getting ready for whatever the future might bring. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/38795950

Ep 125: Through Adversity to Air HR 10/15/2025

Ep 125: Through Adversity to Air HR In this episode, we’ll meet some of the team working behind the scenes to ensure that all Air HR functions are fit for purpose in 2025 and beyond. From simple admin' tasks, through pay and on to more in-depth issues, we all rely on the support of the Air HR teams to help things runs smoothly and to allow us to get on with our jobs. Squadron Leader Peter Lisney has met with some of them to find out how they are moving systems and procedures along to help keep RAF personnel ready to ‘Fly & Fight’. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/38565550

Ep 124: RAF On Show at DSEI 10/01/2025

Ep 124: RAF On Show at DSEI The RAF loves its acronyms and initialisms, and these were out in force when InsideAIR went along to the RAF stand at Defence and Security Equipment International in London. Meeting visitors to the stand were the strategists and operators of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), RAF Regiment personnel from the Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Wing showing off ORCUS, the new boss of the Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) explaining the LANNER platform, and Team Pellonia to talk about EREBUS and Next Generation Air Survivability (NGAS). InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/38415850

Ep 123: RAF in Northern Ireland 09/16/2025

Ep 123: RAF in Northern Ireland How the public perceives the RAF can be pivotal to its effectiveness, whether that’s with operations, recruitment or being accepted by the communities around its bases. We asked InsideAIR’s Corporal Vic Andrews to find out how the RAF approaches this challenge in Northern Ireland. She spoke with Air Officer Northern Ireland, Air Marshal Sean Reynolds. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/38228435

Ep 122: Air Cadets at RIAT 09/02/2025

Ep 122: Air Cadets at RIAT The InsideAIR team has handed the mic over to RAF Air Cadets for a special episode recorded LIVE at RIAT 2025! Join Cadet Flight Sergeants Hannah and Tori as they take you behind the scenes of the airshow – through the eyes of the next generation. Plus, they speak to serving personnel about the role Cadets play in shaping the future of the RAF. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/38049185

Ep 121: 78 Squadron - Nobody Unprepared Pt 2 08/19/2025

Ep 121: 78 Squadron - Nobody Unprepared Pt 2 Last time around on InsideAIR, we caught up with some of the 78 Squadron team based at the HQ of NATS in Swanwick, Hampshire. Part 2 picks the story up this week. Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully is back in Swanwick again today to meet more of the 78 Sqn team and to dig deeper into their work with the Air Defence capability, the Distress & Diversion Cell and how they integrate military traffic with the busy airspace around Northolt & Heathrow and the very busy London helicopter routes. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/37862220

Ep 120: 78 Squadron - Nobody Unprepared Pt 1 08/05/2025

Ep 120: 78 Squadron - Nobody Unprepared Pt 1 The UK has some of the most congested airspace in the world. Ensuring military and civilian aircraft don’t get in the way of each other is just one the reasons why 78 Squadron is co-located at National Air Traffic Services (NATS). Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully went to the air traffic control centre in Swanwick, to hear about the 'swivel chair interaction' that keeps jet setting holiday makers a safe distance from military aviators. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/37671170

Ep 119: 'An RAF Spokesperson Said...' 07/22/2025

Ep 119: 'An RAF Spokesperson Said...' His job could be described as both getting the RAF in the news and keeping the RAF out of the news – neither are easy. This week’s InsideAIR heads to Main Building in the Ministry of Defence to hear from Wing Commander Martin ‘Tinny’ Tinworth, Chief Press Officer for the Royal Air Force. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/37131090

Ep 118: The Warfighting Chef 06/10/2025

Ep 118: The Warfighting Chef Which is the best profession in the Royal Air Force? If you said Pilot, Aircraft Technician, or Regiment Gunner, Chef Warrant Officer Chris Beavis, might disagree. InsideAIR dropped into the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess at RAF Benson to find out why WO Beavis loves being a Chef and to find out what life is like feeding the RAF. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/36928760

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