Operational conversion unit
- Operational conversion unit
-
An Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) is a unit within an air force whose role is to support preparation for the operational missions of a specific aircraft type by providing trained personnel. OCUs teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which tactics best exploit the performance of their aircraft and its weapons. The Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force, among others, practise this method of training. The United States Navy calls its units in this role "Fleet Replacement Squadrons".
An example of an OCU is No. 29 Squadron RAF, which was the second RAF squadron to receive the Eurofighter Typhoon. The squadron is currently training pilots in order to establish an initial operational capability with the aircraft around 2006.
The Royal Australian Air Force has a number of OCUs. These include No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 6 Squadron and No. 292 Squadron. These units are responsible for converting aircrew to the F/A-18 Hornet, F-111 and P-3C Orion aircraft respectively.
RAF OCUs have their origin in the post-war period. Before the Second World War, operational training was carried out in the squadron itself. With the coming of war, this method of training was no longer possible and some squadrons were reassigned to training duties. These were later renamed as Operational Training Units (OTUs) and in practice were larger than operational squadrons.
See also
Categories:
- Training units and formations
- Military aviation stubs
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Operational Conversion Unit — An Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) is a unit within an air force whose role is to support preparation for the operational missions of a specific aircraft type by providing trained personnel. OCUs teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which… … Wikipedia
No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit RAF — No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational Conversion Unit. It was first formed in 1946 at RAF Molesworth under No. 11 Group of Fighter Command by redesignation of No. 1335 Conversion Unit with the mission of training… … Wikipedia
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF — A 2OCU F/A 18B in 1985 Active 1942–1947 1952–current Country … Wikipedia
No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit RAF — No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational Conversion Unit. It was formed in No. 12 Group at RAF Leeming from Nos. 13 and 54 OTUs in 1947. The tasking of the OCU was the training of night fighter crews and its aircraft… … Wikipedia
No. 231 Operational Conversion Unit RAF — No. 231 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational Conversion Unit. It first formed in the aftermath of World War II during 1947 at RAF Coningsby. Initially the OCU was formed from a nucleus provided by No. 16 OTU and was… … Wikipedia
No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit RAF — No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) was first created on 15 Mar 1947 at RAF Lindholme, by re designation of No.1653 Heavy Conversion Unit, to convert crews onto the Avro Lancaster, Avro Lincoln and de Havilland Mosquito bombers. This unit… … Wikipedia
No. 237 Operational Conversion Unit — Die 237 OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) war eine Ausbildungseinheit der Royal Air Force. Geschichte Die Royal Airforce stellte die No. 237 OCU am 31. Juli 1947 in Benson als Einheit für Fotoaufklärung auf. Sie ging aus der aufgelösten No. 8 OTU … Deutsch Wikipedia
Royal Air Force Operational Conversion Units — (OCU) are training units that prepare aircrew for operations on a particular type or types of aircraft or roles. Some OCUs have a shadow or reserve squadron designation which is used if the unit has a war role.No. 226 Operation Conversion UnitNo … Wikipedia
No. 4 Operational Training Unit RAAF — No. 4 Operational Training Unit (4OTU) was an operational conversion unit of the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. It was formed on 1 October 1942 and located at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. 4OTU operated Vultee Vengeance … Wikipedia
No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF — Graduates of No. 12 Course at No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF in 1943 No. 5 Operational Training Unit (5OTU) was an operational training unit of the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. History 5OTU was formed at formed at RAAF… … Wikipedia
