Royal Air Force News Friday, July 1, 2022 P15
F-35 reigns in Spain
News In Brief
Staff Reporter UK F-35 Lightnings launched simulated air strikes on ‘enemy’ jets as Nato crews honed their combat skills during the latest war games over Spain. RAF stealth fighters flown by 617 Sqn joined Greek, French and Swiss fighters over the Bay of Biscay for the latest drill, dubbed Ocean Hit, designed to test Allies’ ability to counter enemy air power. A spokesperson said: “This has been a demanding but extremely productive exercise, where the Lightning has demonstrated its potency. “Working with Nato and European partners in a realistic combat scenario provides an opportunity to integrate complementary capabilities and learn from each other. In particular, we have learnt some valuable lessons regarding fast jet air-to-air integration with partner nations.” During the exercise Marhambased Lightnings rehearsed air-toair combat manoeuvres as Greek F-16s, Swiss F-18s and French Air Force Rafale jets targeted enemy defence systems on the ground, supported by a Voyager tanker from RAF Brize Norton. to Ukraine, and discussed The combat drill comes the recent bids by Finland as Nato Defence chiefs and Sweden to join the met in Madrid, where alliance. they pledged to Speaking at the provide more Madrid summit heavy weapons Nato’s Secretary and long-range General Jans nberg NATO: Jans Stolte missile systems Stoltenberg also
RAF Police Qatar call Staff Reporter
MORE FORCES crime fighters are hitting the Gulf beat as extra RAF Police officers fly out to join UK personnel stationed in Qatar. The latest law enforcers to arrive in the Gulf state will carry out anticrime and counter-intelligence operations, a spokesman said. They form part of the Force Protection team supporting 83 Expeditionary Air Group operations in the Middle East on Operation Kipion. Sqn Ldr Gareth Pattinson, who took over the police unit from outgoing commander Sqn Ldr Tom Connolly, said: “It’s a privilege to take over this role.
HANDOVER: Sqn Ldr Connolly, left, welcomes Sqn Ldr Pattinson and the pair with Flt Lt Jack Weaversmith and WO Cashmore, right
To be responsible for all of the Force Protection operations over the next six months will be challenging and rewarding.”
ANIMAL MAGIC: Military working dogs demonstrate their skills at Honington
Dog team’s peak paw-formance AIR FORCE dog handlers showcased the skills of the UK military’s working animals alongside French and US Force Protection specialists during a training exercise at Honington. Police and Regiment teams staged close-combat, urban fighting and public order operations alongside Allied personnel at the Suffolk station. Military working dogs are also trained to sniff out drugs, explosives and electrical devices on frontline operations.
Move is bang out of order outlined plans to strengthen allied forces operating in eastern Europe as part of a new strategy to counter the threat from Russia. Mr Stoltenberg added: “This will mean more Nato forward deployed combat formations, to strengthen our battlegroups in the eastern part of our Alliance.
“More air, sea and cyber defences, as well as pre-positioned equipment and weapon stockpiles. “And a new force model, with more forces at higher readiness, and specific forces pre-assigned to the defence of specific Allies, to enable much faster reinforcement.”
FORCES BOMB disposal experts were called in after a family moving house found a live WWII hand grenade. Thames Valley Police brought in a military ordnance team which identified the device as a No 36 Mills Bomb, thought to have been handed down through the RELIC: WWII Mills bomb generations.