JOINT SPECIAL FORCES AVIATION WING The Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing (JSFAW) are East Moreland's specialist aviation unit that carry out clandestine operations or are involved in missions conducted by mainly Royal Marine Commandos and Red Legion. In addition the JSFAW are responsible for the operation of the aircraft that are used by the royal family on a day to day basis. While the unit is technically part of the Air Force it has a huge amount of autonomy and its commanding officer spends the majority of their time at Aldfield Barracks with Red Legion. While the vast majority of its members come from the Air Force there are also people recruited from Naval and Army Aviation units.
There are four Squadrons within the Wing however they are not organised in the traditional manner.
1. Royal Operations - These are responsible for the maintainence and operation of the fleet of aircraft normally used by the Ironside family.
2. Rotary Wing Operations - These are responsible for flying helicopters and are mainly tasked with inserting and exfiltrating members of the special forces.
3. Fixed wing Operations - These are responsible for operations using aircraft ranging from fighters to transport aircraft.
4. Aviation Commandos - These are individuals in support roles such as Air-Loadmasters, Winchmen and gunners who ensure the aircraft of all kinds can operate safely on operations.
Entrance to the unit is considered only after someone has served in an Air Force role or attached to an aviation unit in the Navy or Army for five years. Once an individual has five years of service they must have two officers act as a reference for their application. At this point the commanding officer of the Wing narrows things down. Those being considered suitable are invited to Ostlake West where selection training takes place. Selection begins with the individual having to pass the basic military fitness test twice in a day. The test requires an individual to run 2.4km in 11 minutes 11 seconds, reach level 9.1 on the beep test, complete 20 press ups in a minute and then 35 sit ups in two minutes. There is then a break of an hour and then the test repeated. Those passing the test then undertake a two weeks of fitness training culminating in with candidates having to pass Red Legions basic fitness test of 2.4km run to be completed in under 9mins30 seconds, followed immediately by 45 press ups and 55 sit ups to be completed in two minutes each.
At this point selection splits based on pilots flying either fixed wing or rotary wing or ground skills. Pilots are put through various training exercises utilising aircraft types not commonly used by East Moreland pilots with the idea of assessing their abilities to master learning new aircraft types as missions may require. Meanwhile ground crews undertake an eight week long skill at arms, medical, survival and technical training course as well as undertaking testing on their existing skills.
At the end of these sections of training the selection process reunites and undertakes a variety of simulated operations alongside Red Legions current cohort under continuation training. At the end of this simulation the Red Legion officers examine the performance of each candidate and on the final day of selection they are driven to Aldcliffe's air field and told of their pass or fail. Those who pass are given their black beret and beret badge and can call themselves official Aviation Commandos. Simply by passing though does not mean they begin working with the unit as sometimes their skills are not required at that moment in time. In the meantime they return to their unit and continue their service but for four days a month they undertake training allocated by the Wing to ensure their readiness is maintained. Only those in Royal Operations are permanently based at Ostlake West for active service. Those returning to their unit are entitled to wear their black beret (Air Force units wear dark blue, Naval Aviation Pale blue, Army Brown) and two cap badges.
As expected the unit do not share the same inventory of aircraft the regular military maintains although they do have access to them should operations require.
Aircraft Regularly Used
EMAC Royal Edition - Ironside One - Despite the name this is an actual call sign not an aircraft itself. The aircraft most commonly seen as Ironside One is a specially designed EMAC Skyline II. It features additional range, has the ability to refuel in the air and has a whole range of classified modifications including systems for advanced communication, threat warning, chaff, flares and other decoy systems. It contains two en-suite bedrooms, a small cinema, full kitchen and a secure briefing room. There are infact two of these aircraft in operation.
EMAC Royal Flight The Royal Flight was the original Ironside One. It was utilised at the beginning of King David's reign and modified to have many of the defence features on the current Ironside One. It was though only really ideal for visit in the Mhorish and Illumic regions and as King David began more widespread travel became impractical. There are three of these and today utilised by the royal family for flights within East Moreland or by ministers hosting special events.
Royal Rotar The Royal Rotar is a highly modified
helicopter usually used by the army for light duties. This version can only accomodate four passengers but in much greater luxury. There are three of these available to the Ironsides.
Ironside Skyhouse The Skyhouse has been used once in the squadrons history as of August 2023. It is an airship designed for long duration flights that gives the luxury of a hotel suite.