Politics

Royal Air Force Typhoons deployed to Romania have taken part in a major NATO exercise in Hungary.

Two RAF Typhoons from 135 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) joined several NATO allies at Papa airbase in Hungary as part of Exercise LOAD DIFFUSER 17. Deployed as part of a force of four aircraft to Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) airbase near Constanta in Romania, the two Typhoons were a huge hit with the Hungarian public.

Representing the EAW, Paul, a senior RAF pilot, said:

“During the two days we were there we were absolutely mobbed by a range of media who wanted to see our aircraft up close and to learn what it was like to fly. It was a privilege to show so many VIPs around the Typhoon, to answer all their questions, and to see how impressed they were.”

The main purpose of the exercise was to test and increase the interoperability of the various NATO partner air forces. As a change from the Quick Reaction Alert duties that they had been carrying out in Romanian since May, the Typhoons acted as ‘Red Air’ on 7 June to test themselves and their allies. Paul added:

“Playing as ‘Red Air’, pretending to be the enemy, gave us the opportunity to fly against a range of aircraft that we would not normally encounter. It was also a superb opportunity to show off how truly capable and World-leading the Typhoon is.”

Held from 22 May until 9 June, this was the biggest air exercise in Hungary in for many years. Alongside the Typhoons were some 400 people from the air forces of Hungary, the United States, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and the Czech Republic.

Explaining why the trip across the border from Romania was so worthwhile, Paul explained:

“Exercises like this allow us to fly in a range of roles with our NATO partners; essential to strengthening relationships with allied and partner nations, helping to maintain joint readiness and interoperability, and to reassure European allies and partners”.

The RAF aircraft deployed to Romania are part of the UK’s contribution to reassurance measures to ensure the operational capability of NATO’s eastern flank. The enhanced Air Policing mission demonstrates NATO’s flexible capabilities and readiness, underlining the commitment of Allies to each other.

Editor: Sqn Ldr Toby Watkins

Images: Sgt Neil Bryden

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

The Defence Secretary has today visited Royal Air Force personnel deployed to Romania as part of the NATO Southern Air Policing mission in the country.

The detachment of four Typhoon fighter jets from 3 Fighter Squadron has been based in Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase in south east Romania since May. Deployed for up to four months, they are working alongside the Romanian Air Force to police the skies over the Black Sea.

Noting the partnership between the United Kingdom and Romania, Sir Michael said:

“The UK is stepping up in its support for NATO’s collective defence from the north to the south of the alliance. Through this deployment, RAF planes will be ready to secure NATO airspace and provide reassurance to allies in the Black Sea region.”

The Southern Air Policing mission is the first time that NATO has deployed aircraft to the reassure allies in the Black Sea region, with the UK being the first country in rotation.

The visit was part of a 2-day tour of Romania on 14 and 15 June which also included Exercise NOBLE JUMP based at the Training Centre in Cincu where a thousand British soldiers are taking part in the NATO military exercise.

Defence Minister Gabriel Les was also present at the airbase where he in turn addressed the gathering of British and Romanian Air Force personnel, saying:

“We have great appreciation for the deployment of Royal Air Force aircraft in Romania as part of the process to implement the Action Plan for increasing NATO’s operational capacity and as part of our Strategic Partnership”.

“The presence in Romania of the Typhoon aircraft, which are some of the very best fighter aircraft, is an excellent opportunity for joint training and action and contributes to increasing air defence capacity for reaction and deterrence as well as to strengthening interoperability between the two military forces”.

The EAW comprises four Typhoon aircraft from No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire supported by around 150 personnel drawn from stations across Britain.

Southern Air Policing is part of NATO’s Assurance Measures introduced in 2014 to demonstrate the collective resolve of Allies, the defensive nature of NATO, and to deter Russia from aggression against Allies.

The RAF aircraft deployed to Romania are part of the UK’s contribution to reassurance measures to ensure the operational capability of NATO’s eastern flank. The eAP mission demonstrates NATO’s flexible capabilities and readiness, underlining the commitment of Allies to each other.

Editor: Sqn Ldr Toby Watkins

Images: Sgt Neil Bryden

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

Let’s block ads! (Why?)