Written Question:

Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the order of battle of the Naval Strike Wing is; where it is based; and what its command structure is. [306742]

Member Answering Question: Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for the Armed Forces:

Answer: The Naval Strike Wing (NSW) is part of Joint Force Harrier (JFH) which is based at RAF Cottesmore. NSW flies the Harrier GR9 aircraft and comprises 197 personnel, including 16 pilots. Commanding Officer NSW, a Royal Navy (RN) Commander, is directly responsible to the JFH Force Commander (FC), a RAF Group Captain, who is also Station Commander at RAF Cottesmore.

The JFH FC is responsible to Air Officer Commanding (AOC) No. 1 Group, RAF Air Command, through Captain Harrier, a RN manned position within HQ No. 1 Group, RAF AIR Command-AOC 1 Gp is the Aircraft Operating Authority for all JFH aircraft, aircrew and support personnel.