638 Signal Troop

The Formative Years

Background

38 Group, RAF, was formed to provide the Air Ministry’s tactical air component, both offensive air and transport support, to complement the Army element, the 3rd Infantry Division and its subordinate formations. Together they formed the UK's Strategic Reserve; created to fulfil the remaining commitments to UK overseas treaties and obligations in the Near and Middle East.

Whilst all tactical Army formations have their own integral communications facilities at all times, traditionally the RAF, essentially a "static" organisation, have had their landline requirements satisfied by either the Army when stationed abroad, i.e. conventional Air Formation Signals, or by BT when operating in the UK. By the same token, RAF Signals Command managed all its radio facilities with REU Henlow providing ad hoc mobile services when necessary.

HQ 38 Gp and its subordinate Sqns/units required both static BT provided services when "at home" on its UK stations and a tactical capability when deployed. The Joint Planners decided that it should have its own unique deployable capability.

Enter 638 Independent Signal Troop (Air Formation)! This unit was created to satisfy the tactical deployment needs for all landline communications in the various operational scenarios. At the same time 38 Group Signal Support Unit (SSU) was
established to provide integral radio facilities; both long haul HF radio links to the nearest DCN anchor stations, short haul HF/V HF circuits for air tactical use and mobile radar facilities. The RISTACOM study, (the Rationalization of Inter- Service Tactical Communications) was only under discussion at this time and was not implemented until about 1969.

The tasking options for the Strategic Reserve varied from major exercises – a full Joint Force Headquarters supporting two Brigade deployments to minor exercises involving only a Battalion Group with SRT (Short Range Transport) support. (The establishment of this troop in the UK provided Colonel Pat Williams, then the senior Royal Signals officer in the Air Ministry as Deputy Director, Telecommunications (AFS), with his own dedicated reserve of manpower. He appointed himself with title unofficial title CAFSO (UK), this allowing him to visit the troop as a ’Commander' in his own right without the rigmarole of RAF staff clearances as a senior Staff Officer. It also allowed him flexibility in satisfying other 'one-off AFS tasks requested by the Air Ministry.