OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing

42 (ES) Wg: RAF specialist engineering — aircraft repair, inspection, recovery, transport, weapons prep & deployed airfield support worldwide.

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

Air power depends on resilience.

When incidents happen, JARTS restores capability, clears the way, and keeps operations moving.

That’s this week’s #ForceElementFriday 💪

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

Force Element Friday
This week: JARTS – Joint Aircraft Recovery & Transportation Squadron, part of 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing.

They recover aircraft, clear runways, and move airframes worldwide — enabling operations when things don’t go to plan. ✈️🛠️

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

Based at MOD Boscombe Down, JARTS blends recovery expertise, lifting operations, transport planning, and expeditionary deployment into one specialist force element.

If aircraft need moving or recovering — they’re the team.

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

Awesome!

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

Snow, poor visibility, tight timelines — no problem ❄️💪
5001 Sqn delivered 4 Rapid Environmental Shelters on Op CHESSMAN in support of NATO Air Policing, completing the task on time and handing over to our NATO partners.

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

Air power doesn’t start in the air.
It starts on the ground.

And wherever the RAF operates, 5001 Squadron is making it possible. 💪

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

Meet 5001 Squadron — part of 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing in the RAF

They don’t just deploy.
They build the base that makes deployment possible. 🌍✈️

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

Their roots trace back to the WWII Airfield Construction Branch — building and repairing airfields under combat pressure. 📜

That expeditionary mindset still defines the squadron today.

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

This visit reinforced the importance of remembrance, strong leadership and learning from the past. It also allowed RN & RAF personnel to come together to honour the heroes of Arnhem Bridge and ensure their stories continue to be told.

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

JARTS RN & RAF personnel visited Arnhem, Netherlands, to honour those who fought and fell during Op MARKET GARDEN. At Hartenstein, John Frost Bridge & the Airborne War Cemetery, they reflected on the courage shown in one of history’s largest airborne operations.

[OC 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing @42ESWingRAF]

At each site, personnel delivered stands on the battle, the sacrifices made, and how the lessons of Arnhem still shape the military today. Remembering the fallen reminded us of our duty to reflect on their legacy and uphold the values they fought for.