Royal Air Force News Friday, August 7, 2026 P2
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The water was so cold and the giant jelly fish were really scary”
Sky was crazy, but this is where I want to be now”
Sqn Ldr Juliette Lewis braves the unforgiving Northern Channel in charity swim
Pro boxer Cpl Brad Axe makes appearance on TV sports channel ahead of next fight
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Coming back to the stage as a mum will be completely different” Strictly’s Dianne Buswell dusts off her dancing shoes for new tour with Vito Coppola
See page 24
See page 13
See R’n’R page 4
NATO Protector deal
RAF News Room 68 Lancaster Building HQ Air Command High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP14 4UE Editor: Simon Williams Email: editor@rafnews.co.uk Executive Features Editor: Tracey Allen Email: tracey.allen@rafnews. co.uk News Editor: Simon Mander Email: Simon.Mander116@ mod.gov.uk
AEROSPACE FIRM Inzpire has become the first UK defence company to instruct pilots and technicians on the RAF’s Protector. Instructors already deliver synthetic training for 54 Sqn at the Air Battlespace Training Centre. Now the company has won a three-year deal with Nato to teach allies to operate the MQ9B remotely piloted air system in its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles. 54 Sqn’s Wg Cdr Stu Phillips said: “Building on an established partnership, Inzpire brings a breadth of expertise that will enhance the delivery of training supporting frontline operations.” The team will train pilots, sensor operators and mission intelligence coordinators. Inzpire’s instructors are recruited from across Nato, the UK and the US. The initial contract includes two Inzpire instructor crews with scope to expand to up to 37 crews.
This Week In History 1951
Wellington hero
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WADDINGTON ROLE: Inzpire instructors will train crews from across the Nato alliance under UK deal
1940
WELLINGTON NAVIGATOR Flt Lt Alan Quinton is awarded the George Cross for clipping his aircraft’s only parachute to an ATC cadet passenger allowing him to escape when his aircraft went down following a mid-air collision.
Luftwaffe raids
1991
THE LUFTWAFFE begin its Eagle Day attacks on RAF airfields, launching 1,500 sorties. Thirteen Spitfires are shot down for the loss of 47 German aircraft.
OPERATION GRANBY is launched with the initial deployment of 12 Tornado F3s to Dahran in Saudi Arabia, 12 Jaguars to Oman and two VC10 tankers and RAF Regt operated Rapier missile systems to Bahrain.
Granby begins
Extracts from The Royal Air Force Day By Day by Air Cdre Graham Pitchfork (The History Press)