Royal Air Force News Friday, August 21, 2026 P3
News
Dad’s the word for rookie Em Lynn Dunne Leeming WHILST THE emotional roller coaster of driving lessons with a parent or child will be familiar to many, few can claim the same experience in the air. So, taking his daughter for her first sortie in a Tutor aircraft as a University Air Squadron Cadet was a special event for one of Leeming’s most experienced pilots. With 38 years in the Regular RAF under his belt, and a new Reservist career underway, it’s fair to say that Flt Lt James Harris has done a lot of flying. Starting his career on the Tornado GR1, James spent significant time on 100 Sqn and squeezed in exchanges in Pakistan and South Africa. Now part of Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron, his
time is spent teaching the Next Generation of potential pilots. James said: “I try to impart some of the experience that I’ve learned over the years because you can’t get it from a book. It’s rewarding
when you fly someone who’s never even flown in anything before, and they’re absolutely thrilled by it. Some are really nervous, some
OFF TO A FLYER: UAS cadet Emily prepares for her first training sortie at Leeming with dad James
aren’t at all. Some yelp with joy and others hardly say anything.” This lesson was different as James briefed his daughter Emily, who joined the Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron earlier this year, before taking to the skies together. He said: “It’s different when you fly with your own child. It will be a privilege, and we’ll get a job done. We’ll make it business as usual. Emily added: “I was definitely inspired by my dad to join the UAS – I wouldn’t have known about it otherwise. “I’m still not sure what I want to do, but dad being in the RAF has made me think about it as an option. It’s more than just a job. “I’m really, really excited about the flight – a little nervous, but not too much. “Dad taught me how to drive, he’s a very good teacher. He has a lot of trust in me, which is good, but it’s a bit scary sometimes.”
UK signs off in Romania Simon Mander TYPHOONS SCRAMBLED more than 50 times during the RAF’s latest deployment policing Nato’s south-eastern flank against Russian aggression. Combat jets from 121 Expeditionary Air Wing flew more than 180 flying hours, while maintaining aircraft and crews on very high readiness. Detachment commander Wg Cdr Daz Wicks-Randy said: “As we hand over responsibility to the Spanish Air Force, we do so with a great sense of pride. Our people have delivered operational excellence throughout the deployment, maintaining Nato’s Air Policing mission while building enduring relationships with our Allied partners.” Operating from Borcea Air Base in Romania, the Coningsby-based fighters responded to nearly 10 Alpha Scrambles
and conducted more than 40 training launches. They maintained continuous Quick Reaction Alert, ensuring Nato’s ability to respond rapidly to potential airspace violations as part of its Eastern
Sentry mission, while working closely with Romanian and Allied forces. The deployment also marked a shift from the alliance’s Air Policing mission to a broader Air Defence role as part of Nato’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence framework.
During their deployment, the British contingent participated in Exercise Beastling Monolith, conducting Air-Land Integration and Close Air Support training alongside Nato Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from France, Poland, Spain, Belgium and Italy. Other Enhanced Vigilance Activity included Neptune Strike and Exercise Beastling Redback, which focused on Military Operations in urban terrain. The detachment also participated in Nato Flexible Deterrence Options and operated with forces from eight nations.
HANDOVER: 121 EAW Commander, Wg Cdr Wicks-Randy, welcomes his Spanish counterpart as Typhoons complete latest NATO duties in Romania