Runway 25 presents Tornado Tales
30 November 2024
5.00pm – 9.00pm
An evening in conversation with former Tornado aircrew, Wg Cdr (Ret) Steve Dean and Flt Lt Chris “Stradders” Stradling.
The evening event will be hosted in the atmospheric surroundings of the National Cold War Exhibition Hangar at RAF Museum Midlands, Cosford and promises to be another memorable evening building on the success of our previous talks.
Our Guest speakers are both highly experienced former Tornado aircrew with over 8,000 hours between them with combat experience in both Gulf Wars and Afghanistan. “Stradders” alone has over 6,000 hours, the most of any aircrew on the Panavia Tornado.
During Steve Dean’s 31-year career as an RAF as a fast jet pilot, he flew over 150 combat missions in the Tornado GR.1 and GR.4 during his 11 operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the second Gulf War in 2003. After gaining his wings, Steve completed his training on the Tornado GR.1 training at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Honington before being posted to 17(F) Sqn in West Germany in the strike/attack role.
Subsequent tours on II(AC) Sqn and IX(B) Sqn followed, flying in the reconnaissance and Suppression of Enemy Air Defence roles respectively. Overall, he flew more than 2,000 hours on the Tornado, instructed and examined in both front and back seats, day and night and, in addition to his operational deployments, exercised in many places including: France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Italy, Hungary, Singapore, Canada and the USA, where he was lucky enough to fly on Exercise Red Flag at Nellis AFB on four separate occasions.
Chris “Stradders” Stradling joined the RAF in April 1984 and after undertaking various flying courses was first posted to 17 (F) Sqn which was then based at RAF Bruggen. The squadron was at this time was a part of RAF Germany the UK air contribution to NATO during the Cold War.
After eight years in Germany, he then moved to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland where he spent the next 21 years, first as an instructor on XV(R) Squadron before returning to frontline flying with 14 Squadron and the famous 617 Squadron, “The Dambusters”.
“Stradders” has spent many years deployed around the world. He has taken part in numerous air operations including the First Gulf War, and the subsequent air operations over southern Iraq enforcing the UN no fly zone. He subsequently flew on operations as part of the coalition over Iraq and Afghanistan and most recently has taken part in the Coalition operations over Syria and Iraq directed against Daesh.
“I can’t wait to share my experiences flying the mighty Fin in training, on exercise and at war, during the Runway25 Tornado 50th Anniversary event.” – Steve Dean
“I am really looking forward to the Runway25 event and the opportunity to share some stories and experiences from my 32 years on the Mighty Tornado GR.1 and GR.4.” – Chris Stradling
Ticket prices will include food.
Guests will have an opportunity to meet Steve and Chris, who will be available afterwards to answer any questions you may have.
