Working mainly out of the established bases at Basrah, As Sammawah and Al Amarah, the TSW refuelling crews are at a moment’s notice to provide its specialist skill of ‘rotors turning refuelling’ to a variety of coalition helicopters.   However, being on TSW, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2006, is not just about refuelling helicopters.  Wg Cdr Clive Watson, the Wing’s Commanding Officer, said: “Out in any theatre, personnel from TSW provide a range of aviation fuel support capabilities to support battlefield helicopter operations; from aircraft marshalling to quality checks of fuel and the movement of aviation fuel throughout the area of operation.  In the current environment of southern Iraq, all TSW operators, not withstanding their trade, have a part to play in the whole mission.”

In addition to its core task of providing fuel, TSW prides itself on the other fuels-related skills that all ranks on the wing are capable of.  Whether it is basic fuels equipment maintenance or rigging fuels-related underslung loads all nine trades which are represented are trained to offer the same level of service.