JD2E and 2Excel team up to land three-year contract to train airborne Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Operators for the UK Ministry of Defence

Three-year duration with optional one-year extension to provide both live and synthetic training in a 4.5-week course, including 10 hours of airborne time
JD2E is an established ISR training provider to the MOD, offering ground school, classroom and aircraft instructors, simulators and training materials.
2Excel Aviation will provide aircraft from its existing fleet (PA-31 Navajo/Panther type) as well as mission system and sensors (EO/IR turret, AIS, AIMS-ISR) and a pilot (instructor)

16 September 2021

UK-based 2Excel Aviation and JD2E have partnered to land a three-year Ministry of Defence contract that will see the pair combine their expertise to deliver vital Mission Aircrew Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Operator training.

Jonathan Bramley, Managing Director at JD2E, said: ‘The combination of 2Excel’s operational ISR experience and Special Missions aircraft and JD2E’s training and simulation will deliver an unmatched level of ISR training to the UK MOD. The partnership provides the perfect blend of instructional and operational skills and experience to deliver multi-domain operational training and is a great result for the UK SME Action Plan.’

2Excel is an innovative aerospace services provider which provides services to Governments, the defence industry and the global oil sector while JD2E is a leading training and simulation company providing high end synthetic training and mission rehearsal equipment.

Arnie Palmer, Director of Special Missions at 2Excel Aviation, said: ‘The partnership with JD2E marks a step change in 2Excel’s access to industry leading synthetic training. The fusion of customer-led live airborne training and best-in-market simulation will create a training course not only suitable for today’s Sensor Operators but also future proofed for longer-term military ISR needs.’

The contract, which was awarded in September 2021, will see the pair deliver four courses per year, for three years with an optional one-year extension. The first course of 40-60 hours is due to begin in January 2022.

All courses will comprise up to six students and take around 4.5 weeks, to include 1.5 weeks of ground school and synthetic training at JD2E’s facility near RAF Cranwell. That will be followed by three weeks of live flying out of 2Excel’s Doncaster-Sheffield Airport operations base, including 10 hours of airborne time per student.

The contract is the latest step in 2Excel’s 10-year legacy of delivering operational and training work for the UK Government, including the current Coastguard Search and Rescue contract.

The work produced from the contract with the MoD will boost 2Excel’s operations in the Sheffield region, bringing further high-skilled jobs to the local economy and another example of how 2Excel’s
UK operations are levelling-up the regions they’re placed in – whether at Doncaster-Sheffield Airport or through the development of their state-of-the-art engineering base in Lasham.

With 2Excel delivering the contract, benefits will not only be seen in boosts to regional economies, but also in value for money to the taxpayer. Through their previous public contracts, 2Excel has consistently displayed an ability to do difficult things well and to a high-quality, all the while maintaining value to the taxpayer through the cost of their services, and the net-benefit their services deliver to the UK economy.

About us

JD2E

JD2E delivers ISR training courses to military and law enforcement customers at its academy in Lincolnshire or at customers’ own bases and is active around the world. The company’s primary training focus is ISR, electronic warfare and sensor operator training for airborne platforms and air integration.

JD2E currently provides instructors and simulators to deliver advanced ISR training to Weapon Systems Operators at RAF College Cranwell, preparing aircrew for future roles on MQ-9 Reaper, Shadow R1, Sentinel R1, RC-135W Rivet Joint and P-8A Poseidon.

2Excel Aviation

2Excel Aviation is an innovative aviation business working across industries from defence and security to engineering, commercial air transport to events and disaster response.

Activity is organised around three main lines of business: Capability Development, Special Missions and Charter. With bases at Doncaster-Sheffield Airport and Sywell Aerodrome, 2Excel’s customers include Government Departments, the defence, national infrastructure, oil and gas industries and airline charter brokers.

In 2018, 2Excel became 51 per cent employee-owned through the creation of an Employee Ownership Trust.

Contact us
For media enquiries please contact:

JD2E jonathan.bramley@jd2e-isr.com
Jonathan Bramley, Managing Director +44 (0) 7743 962 911

2Excel Aviation ben.griffiths@2excel.uk
Ben Griffiths, Group Head of Communications

+44 (0) 7753 464 637

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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