PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: 10/2/22
(PASO ROBLES CA) The British are coming to Paso Robles, not by land or by sea but by airplane. The Royal Air Force (RAF) arrived at Paso Robles Airport Saturday, Oct. 1, in preparation for a series of missions to train high altitude paratroopers. The RAF will use nearby Ft. Hunter-Liggett as the training area accordingn to the crew accompanying the giant aircraft. Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin said he was told the RAF missions would entail up to 80 personnel for up to five weeks at a time.
According to Wikipedia, “The Airbus A400M Atlas is a European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.[3] The A400M is sized between the C-130 and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130 and is able to use rough landing strips. In addition to its transport capabilities, the A400M can perform aerial refueling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment.”
“We’re excited about the prospect of being a part of this international operation,” said Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin. “Not only does it make great use of our airport, which was designed for military use, but it will raise the awareness of our potential for expanded air services in the future.”
Martin said the Paso Robles Airport is often mentioned as being a potential site for air freight and other services. It already serves as a busy general aviation facility which daily accommodates small recreational aircraft, the California Highway Patrol, CalFire air attack bombers, and a wide array of private and corporation jet planes. The City of Paso Robles is currently pursuing a spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administation to accommodate new horizontal-lift aircraft that would operate out of the Paso Robles Airport, taking off and landing like jet aircraft, and lifting small payloads to low earth orbit and a fraction of current costs.
“For 40 years we’ve said our airport was a diamond in the rough,” said Martin. “The RAF missions are one more way we are putting shine on that diamond.”