Coronavirus: RAF Reservists Finish Mobile Testing Duties

Royal Air Force reservists have completed a six-week deployment running mobile coronavirus testing units in the West Midlands.

The personnel from 505 Squadron will now head home to the South West as other members of the Armed Forces continue to tackle the pandemic emergency. 

Many of the reservists were furloughed from their civilian jobs during the COVID-19 outbreak.

They have instead spent time away from their family, on the frontline of the pandemic response.

Speaking at a testing site in Shrewsbury, Leading Aircraftman Jonathan Hall told Forces News: "Within my civilian life, I'm a maintenance manager for a holiday park in Cornwall.

"I was furloughed like an awful lot of the UK population, so basically, the opportunity came up to do this, I volunteered straight for that.

"I got the approval from my civilian work, as well, to say that they were happy for me to do this and they fully supported me."

Senior Aircraftwoman Samantha Grange - the only female reservist on-site at the Shrewsbury testing unit - moved away from her family and her role as a police officer to join her squadron during the pandemic.

"It has been difficult, although they're used to it, because it's my job and I do do as much as I can within the Royal Air Force," she said.

"It's interesting, it's been quite complex.

"Obviously, because it's a very dynamic, fluid, ever-changing situation with COVID-19, so we've all had to be very flexible and adaptable.

"It's been quite hard, I will say. I'll be glad when it's finished, but equally, we're all very proud that we've contributed towards the pandemic support."

The reservists will have a couple of weeks off before returning to their civilian jobs. 

Last month, it was announced an extra 1,763 military personnel were being deployed to support the rollout of an additional 140 mobile coronavirus testing units.

The Armed Forces have played a key role during the crisis, helping with the delivery of vital personal protective equipment (PPE) and setting up NHS Nightingale facilities.