Brawdy plays host to 'giants of the skies (From Western Telegraph)

Brawdy plays host to 'giants of the skies

Pembrokeshires aeroplane enthusiasts were treated to the unexpected and awesome sight of the largest aircraft in service with the RAF landing at Brawdy last week.

The C-17 Globemaster - with a wingspan of almost 170 feet and powered by four Boeing 757 airliner engines - took part in the week-long training operation at the disused airfield to give air and ground crew practical training using bare-base (having no landing or navigational aids) facilities.

Squadron Leader Peter Sinclair said: The RAFs ability to support Government policy depends on being able to train, develop procedures and practise skills in a variety of environments.

These include low-flying and operations into bare-base airfields, both during the day and at night. These operations allowed aircrew to gain as much practical experience as possible as well as reinforcing perishable skills.

However Squadron Leader Sinclair was quick to state that the operations were a one-off and there were no plans to re-activate Brawdy as a regular-use flying station.

The operations were primarily aimed at C-130 Hercules transporters and Chinook helicopters, but the RAF decided to use the available facilities for the C-17 crew which had recently seen service in Afghanistan.

Also present were members of the Tactical Communications Wing from RAF Brize Norton and crash-rescue teams from RAF Lyneham.

Flights from Brawdy ceased in 1992 and the base is currently used by the 14th Royal Signal Regiment.