So, as a result of these and many other improvements, in early 2003, we managed our first 84 sortie day. To put this in perspective, in 2002, we had mounted a huge effort in a fine summer’s week and had flown 300 sorties in that week. In 2003, we were flying an average of 330 sorties per week as a matter of routine. When I arrived in 2001, maximum effort was a 50-sortie day. In 2003, we were averaging 50 sorties per day.
And, for t
he same reason that you might climb Everest - because the challenge is there - in order to prove the robustness of our new system of operations, the Squadron flew 100 sorties in a single day (36) on 21 July 2003 – a feat unsurpassed by any other squadron in the history of the RAF, and a record which seems unlikely ever to be challenged. What was remarkable above all else is that it seemed to be just a normal working day (37)
(although the crewroom was unusually quiet!). The Flight Pro software 
had ensured that no-one had been obliged to exceed fatigue limits, and several of the Squadron pilots commented that they felt they could have flown more. Only one person did more than the norm, and that was me. I saw the first sortie off in the morning and flew the last - the hundredth one (38).
See photos from the 100 Sortie Day at this link:
So, 208 Squadron achieved its colossal task and, in doing so, safeguarded the very future of the RAF in providing sufficient future combat pilots for the front-line requirement. Ironically, very shortly after my handover to Wg Cdr Nigel Clifford (39), further cuts to the front line reduced that task markedly, and the Squadron was never again required to fly so intensively as it had during my time in command. But that, I hope, is another story.
