Home Introduction History Organisation Welfare LASER Essex Wing 494 Squadron Royal Air Force

Essex Wing Air Training Corps

Essex Wing ATC Logo

494 Sqn is part of Essex Wing which falls under London and South East Region (LASER). The Wing is currently commanded by Wing Commander Glenn Mayes RAFVR(T) and Wing Headquarters is based at Carver Barracks, home of 33 Regiment Royal Engineers and formally RAF Debden. Essex Wing currently contains 27 units which breaks down into 26 Squadrons and 1 Detached Flight.

The Wing is split into 5 sectors designed to encourage units to work together, developing their units through sharing qualifications and best practice. Each sector has a Senior Wing Staff Officer (SWSO) who is normally of Squadron Leader rank, they are assisted by a Wing Staff Officer (WSO) who is typically a Flight Lieutenant. These Wing Staff Officers can then call on the assistance of the Sector Liaison and Warrant Officer to help develop their sector. Each sector typically consists of 5 to 8 units. Essex is split into North, South, East, West and Central. 494 Sqn belong to ‘West’ sector.


The Organisational Structure of Essex Wing

The Wing also has a core management team that meet once a month to discuss operational policy and development. This is headed by the Wing Commander and he calls on permanent Wing Staff Officers and specialist skills throughout the Wing’s units to continue to drive Essex Wing forward.

Essex Wing Management Team

The Wing is also supported by two full time civil servants, a Chaplain and Civilian Committee.

Essex Wing Organisation

Essex Wing has developed a fearsome reputation for competitiveness, resourcefulness and above all professionalism not only in the London and South East Region but throughout the Corps.