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 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

Ep 117: Frontline NHS to Frontline RAF 05/27/2025

Ep 117: Frontline NHS to Frontline RAF Juggling a Reserve commitment with a busy civilian job is something that’s part and parcel of life for the thousands of Reserves currently serving in the RAF. Someone who knows that first hand is the Chief Medical Officer of Scotland Professor Sir Gregor Smith, but far from saying it can be too hard for NHS staff to find the time, he's urging more of them to join the RAF Medical Reserves, saying not only is it a boost for their careers as individuals, but to the health service as a whole. AS1 Ben Russell has the story. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/36717525

Ep 116: Be Ready to Fly & Fight 05/13/2025

Ep 116: Be Ready to Fly & Fight In this episode, we’ll hear from the team at RAF Marham in Norfolk, about how their ‘BeReady’ strategy is ensuring that the whole force team is coming together to deliver success and proving they are ‘always ready to fly and fight.’ The station, which is home to the RAF’s F-35B Lightning fleet, is into the second round of its ‘BeReady’ strategy, a drive to bring together the whole force, with service personnel, industry partners, and civilian contractors, all coming together to deliver success and enhance their readiness to respond during times of threat or crisis. Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully spoke with the team bringing 'BeReady 25' to life. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/36533370

Ep 115: Operational Readiness Through Orienteering 04/29/2025

Ep 115: Operational Readiness Through Orienteering In this episode, we catch up with the Air Officer Wales and find out how his passion for the sport of orienteering ties in directly with life in the Royal Air Force. The sport of orienteering is one which helps not just with fitness and mental health wellbeing, but which also connects directly with the objectives of a career in the RAF, through skills such as preparation, flexibility and adaptability. That’s the view of the Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods. He spoke with InsideAIR’s Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney about the sport and the five critical skills which orienteering can offer personnel serving in 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/36338975

Ep 114: The Next Battle of Britain 04/15/2025

Ep 114: The Next Battle of Britain The hope is there won’t be another Battle of Britain. However, should the unthinkable happen, what has changed since the last battle, how might an Integrated Air and Missile Defence system help, and how could changing the way we think prepare us for such a conflict. InsideAIR speaks with Dr Sophy Antrobus, Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Freeman Air and Space Institute, to hear an academic’s point of view. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/36137400

Ep 113: GCAP - 6th Generation Aircraft 04/01/2025

Ep 113: GCAP - 6th Generation Aircraft In this episode, we’re talking about the next generation of aircraft to enter into service with the Royal Air Force. Tempest, GCAP and FCAS.. want to know what it all means for the 6th generation of aircraft planned for service with the RAF? We’ll be hearing from Leonardo, Rolls-Royce and the RAF itself, as Sqn Ldr Peter Lisney gets an InsideAIR update. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/35936750

Ep 112: Puma Retires 03/18/2025

Ep 112: Puma Retires Have you ever crewed, been flown in or serviced a Puma? March sees the retirement of this medium support helicopter that has carried troops, supplies and humanitarian aid in operations and exercises around the world since 1971. InsideAIR goes to RAF Benson, to say farewell. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/35767670

Ep 111: Part 2, Top Guns: Inside the RAF - Behind The Scenes 03/04/2025

Ep 111: Part 2, Top Guns: Inside the RAF - Behind The Scenes In the second instalment of our two part feature about Channel 4’s documentary on the RAF we rejoin InsideAIR’s Air Specialist 1 Emma Kirwan as she goes behind the scenes of Top Guns: Inside 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/35512920

Ep 110: Top Guns: Inside the RAF - Behind The Scenes 02/18/2025

Ep 110: Top Guns: Inside the RAF - Behind The Scenes How do you make a TV documentary on a busy, operational and in places, secretive RAF station? Balancing the needs and wishes of the people being filmed, the film crew and ultimately the viewers, is no easy task. InsideAIR’s Air Specialist 1 Emma Kirwan spoke to the people behind and in front of the cameras of the second series of Top Guns: Inside 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/35317115

Ep 109: DE&S - Delivering War Fighting Capability to the RAF 02/04/2025

Ep 109: DE&S - Delivering War Fighting Capability to the RAF Acquiring new platforms, upgrading current platforms so they remain relevant, and ensuring the support solutions, supplies and spares are in place. This is the unsung role of Defence Equipment and Support. Squadron Leader Peter Lisney talks with DE&S’s Director Fixed Wing and Director Rotary Wing, UAS and Air Enablers, to find out how they deliver war fighting capability to the RAF, and hears what to look out for in the coming years. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/35131830

Ep 108: On Exercise With the RNLI 01/21/2025

Ep 108: On Exercise With the RNLI A joint RAF & RNLI exercise took place recently off the coast of the Isle of Man with a 202 Squadron Jupiter helicopter from RAF Valley playing the lead role. Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully watched the winching operations from the deck of the Port St Mary lifeboat and caught up with both teams to find out what was involved. The exercise took place in mid-December, at the end of the RNLI's bicentenary, with the organisation having been established on the Isle of Man. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/34924930

Ep 107: Pan-Defence Skills and Professions Programme 01/07/2025

Ep 107: Pan-Defence Skills and Professions Programme ‘When will I be promoted, how much will I be paid, does the job still make me happy?’ If you’re already serving in the RAF, these career related questions might sound familiar. Squadron Leader Peter Lisney spoke with members of the RAF Career Management team to find out how the new Pan-Defence Skills Framework could play a major role in finding the answers. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/34737700

Ep 106: Red Arrows Diamond 60 12/24/2024

Ep 106: Red Arrows Diamond 60 2024 saw the 60th anniversary of the formation of the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. InsideAIR’s Flight Lieutenant Amy Casey finds out why they were founded, gets a tour of their famous Hawk Mk T1 aircraft, and meets pilots, groundcrew and their fans as the Red Arrows embark on their summer tour. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/34534855

Ep 105: Atlas vs Hercules - A Pilot's View 12/10/2024

Ep 105: Atlas vs Hercules - A Pilot's View When the Atlas C.1 A400M entered service with the RAF ten years ago, many asked whether this tactical airlift aircraft would ever be as good as the much loved C-130 Hercules. Who better then to pass judgement than a pilot who has flown both aircraft for almost equal lengths of time. InsideAIR met with Flight Lieutenant Seb Davey to find the answer. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/34356875

Ep 104: Rapid Capability Development for a 5th Gen Air Force 11/26/2024

Ep 104: Rapid Capability Development for a 5th Gen Air Force According to the RAF’s Chief Modelling and Simulation Officer, 'Commercial' is actually about delivering capability at pace that the war fighter needs. Group Captain Rauri Henderson-Begg and Tom Purser from Commercial X talk to InsideAIR about rapid capability development for a 5th Gen 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/34110941

Ep 103: The RAF Air Historical Branch 11/12/2024

Ep 103: The RAF Air Historical Branch In this episode, we’ll step behind the scenes at the Air Historical Branch at Northolt to check out the huge variety of work they undertake going back through time and in making sure that today’s RAF events are properly captured for the future. Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully spoke with the Head of the Air Historical Branch, Seb Cox, to find out more. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/33880042

Ep 102: From Flyer to Fighter - Flying Training Update 10/29/2024

Ep 102: From Flyer to Fighter - Flying Training Update On InsideAIR this week, we get the latest on flying training. As Head of Flying Training for the Royal Navy, Army and RAF, Air Commodore Rob Caine’s job is to get as many aircrew as possible through flying training to the front line. He told Squadron Leader Peter Lisney of InsideAIR, how the system has been changing and how augmented reality and psychological skills training are now both playing a part in producing the UK’s next front line pilots. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/33639697

Ep 101: The Red Arrows Maple Hawk Tour of Canada 10/15/2024

Ep 101: The Red Arrows Maple Hawk Tour of Canada The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), the Red Arrows, have just returned from a very successful six-week tour of Canada on 'Maple Hawk'. The RAF Waddington based team are celebrating their own 60th anniversary and were invited to help mark the Royal Canadian Air Force's Centennial year. InsideAIR's Flight Lieutenant Mark McKinstry joined them behind the scenes. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/33451957

Ep 100: 100th Episode Special with CAS - People, Technology and Operations 10/01/2024

Ep 100: 100th Episode Special with CAS - People, Technology and Operations In this 100th episode special, Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Richard Knighton joins Squadron Leader Peter Lisney to look back at some of the significant events and achievements that have happened for the RAF, its people, technology and operations, since InsideAIR’s first episode in January 2021. They also look ahead to what we can expect in the RAF by the time episode 200 is released in 2028. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/33272467

Ep 99: Poseidon in the Pacific 09/17/2024

Ep 99: Poseidon in the Pacific This summer, two Poseidon MRA.1 (P-8A) Maritime Reconnaissance Attack aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth flew to Hawaii for the world’s largest international maritime exercise. Called Exercise Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC for short, it involved 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel. InsideAIR went to find out more. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/33080517

Ep 98: 617 Squadron on QRA in Iceland 09/03/2024

Ep 98: 617 Squadron on QRA in Iceland The RAF normally employs its Typhoon jet fighters for land-based NATO Air Policing missions. However, this year, 617 Squadron’s F-35 B Lightnings took on the job for the first time. InsideAIR’s Flt Lt Amy Casey went to Iceland to see how they got on. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services. /episode/index/show/insideair/id/32867782

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