All in a days work for Craig

Published on: 13/11/2020

All in a days work for Craig

E P Barrus is supporting RAF Reserve, Craig Boswell as one of the on-standby reserves being deployed by the Armed Forces providing Coronavirus aid across the UK.

Craig’s usual role at Barrus is working as an Application and Technical Support Engineer for the company’s Industrial Engine Division. He became a Reserve for 501sqn in September 2015, a squadron that provides trained logistics personnel prepared for mobilisation to support the RAF on operations, both home and abroad.

From April to September, Craig was part of Operation Rescript, the Tri-Service operation running the COVID-19 Mobile Testing Units (MTU). “My MTU carried out 5000 tests at locations in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire,” explained Craig. “We were trained by the Army and given the responsibility of obtaining samples, preserving them and delivering them to the Regional Test Centres (RTC). The work was very challenging, however, we received very good support and did our best to make the test safe, fast and stress-free.”

Craig was then re-assigned to RAF Lossiemouth, one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Stations which protect UK airspace. Aircraft and crews are maintained on high alert to scramble and intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace.

Craig continues, “My most recent task has involved Britain's newest aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which has recently been on Exercise Joint Warrior in the North Sea.  The RAF and United States Air Force (USAF) loaded HMS Queen Elizabeth to capacity with F-35B multi-role combat aircraft. This allowed the services to fully test the ship's capabilities, demonstrate our adaptability, work with other countries and allow our pilots to gain valuable experience.”

“Barrus supply Yanmar and John Deere diesel engine ranges to many key military equipment manufacturers and I have seen first hand a lot of this equipment being used on RAF bases,” commented Craig. “It makes me very proud to know that our products are used in the protection of our airspace and allow us to provide aid across the globe”.

Craig is currently working on another Exercise and is booked to be remobilised for the next few months. 

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