Hawk 2003 - 2008 (6)

The Squadron conducted a second deployment to Malta and Italy. Twelve instructors flew 6 Hawk aircraft to Malta via a fuelling stop in Istres, France. Squadron members visited the Malta Aviation Museum located at Ta Quali airfield, where the Squadron operated Meteors (11) in the 1950s.

After a 2 day visit they then flew to Perugia in central Italy. During this stay they visited Castiglione del Lago airfield, based on the Western coast of Lake Trasimeno. 208 Squadron were based here in 1944-5 during the campaign for the Gothic line (12).

The training of IAF pilots finished on 1 February 2008. Since the scheme began on 31 January 2005 the Squadron had seen IAF 63 pilots train on 208 Squadron with very few failures. Indeed, due to its success an additional course of 6 IAF Squadron Leader QFIs spent time on 208. However, the Squadron contact with the sub-continent did not come to an end as they were involved in the ferrying of new Hawk 132 aircraft to Bidar. The Squadron welcomed the usual round of high-ranking Service visitors including Air Chief Marshal Major, Chief of Staff Indian Air Force, who was Reviewing Officer at the graduation of Indian Air Force 9 and V107 (13). The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, was also a Reviewing Officer and the Commander-in-Chief of the newly formed Air Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, briefed the Station personnel on Service-related topics. Other notable visitors included a delegation from the Chilean Air Force and Air Traffic Controllers based at Manchester Airport; the Squadron reciprocated the latter’s visit at the end of February 2008. The Squadron “relaxed” when 11 personnel toured Yosemite National Park, California to participate in trekking, rock climbing and white-water rafting. The hardy group tackled a 16 mile trek that involved 6000 ft of climbing and a 30deg C change of temperature to conquer El Capitan.