Author Archives: MOD

The MOD has announced that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the award of Battle Honours to squadrons of Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force.

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On 23 September a pair of Typhoons flew for seven hours and 46 minutes on a mission which saw them attack and destroy a weapons cache before conducting a simultaneous strike against four truck bombs.

Flight Lieutenant Tom [surname withheld for security reasons] led the mission from RAF Akrotiri. He said:

“Whilst this sortie was the longest flown by RAF Typhoons to date the nature of the mission was no different to those flown day in day out over the past three years of this operation by both Typhoon and Tornado aircrew. These sorties would not be possible without the tireless support of our ground crew and of the air-air refuelling team who enable us to remain on station for such long periods of time.”

During the sortie, which was mostly conducted at night, the Typhoons refuelled on a number of occasions from RAF and Coalition air-air refuelling aircraft. After scanning the areas around the targets to ensure no civilians were present the targets were struck with a total of six Paveway IV precision guided munitions. Flt Lt Tom:

“Sitting in the confines of a fast jet cockpit for such a long time can be tiring, particularly at night, but assisting the Coalition forces fighting Da’esh on the ground is extremely rewarding and more than enough to keep us focussed. By destroying vehicle borne IEDs and weapons caches we not only save the lives of troops but also civilians; Da’esh have shown no hesitation in the past in detonating these huge bombs close to civilians.’

The Typhoon pair were not the only aircraft in operations that day. Over northern Iraq RAF Typhoons destroyed a truck bomb, a terrorist-held building and a mortar team firing on Iraqi forces. RAF Tornado aircraft also destroyed five truck bombs, an armed truck, a Da’esh building and command post on a day which saw the RAF destroy a total of17 terrorist targets.

The RAF has played an essential role to allies, helping Syrian Democratic Forces engaged in ground close combat and the Iraqi Security Forces who continue their advance having liberated Mosul and Ninewah province. The RAF recently marked the third anniversary of operations against Da’esh which also involves Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, air-air refuelling tankers and surveillance aircraft. More than 5.5 million people have been freed from Daesh’s rule and over two million displaced Iraqi civilians have returned to their homes. In Mosul alone, it is estimated that over 265,000 people have returned.

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

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A final public display of 2017 has been carried out in Bahrain by the Red Arrows.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team was watched by crowds at the city’s seafront, marking the end of the team’s 53rd season and also a significant tour of the Mediterranean and Gulf supporting United Kingdom interests.

Wing Commander Andrew Keith, Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, said: “Our busy schedule has meant the whole team, both aircrew and essential support staff, have worked hard, often in extreme temperatures, but it has been worth it.

“Representing the UK, we have highlighted links with close friends in the region and helped to forge new ones, across a range of industries and sectors.”

The overseas deployment, known as Exercise Eastern Hawk, has focussed on British expertise in the fields of aviation, technology, engineering and education.

As well as the display, pilots and personnel of the Red Arrows’ ground support team met women’s networking groups, members of the business community and also students in Bahrain.

The five-week overseas tour began with a flight over the Cannes Yachting Festival – highlighting British industry at the event – before visiting Athens Flying Week, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Pakistan. A flypast over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, follows the full display in Bahrain.

The British Ambassador to Bahrain, Simon Martin, said: “I’m delighted that the team are back to represent the best of British innovation and excellence within the Royal Air Force, which shows the UK’s commitment to strengthen its relations with Bahrain.”

One of the Red Arrows’ key roles is as national ambassadors, supporting UK trade, business, education and industry – most recently in conjunction with the GREAT Britain campaign.

The Bahrain display was also the last show of the Red Arrows’ 2017 season, which included a busy domestic programme across the UK before the overseas deployment.

It was the final public display for four of the pilots who have reached the end of their period with the team.

This includes Red 1, Squadron Leader David Montenegro, who has finished his second, three-year, stint with the team – with 2015-2017 as Team Leader.

Flight Lieutenant Tom Bould, who is Red 6, and Flight Lieutenant Emmet Cox, Red 9, have completed their three-year tours with the team.

And also leaving is Red 10, Squadron Leader Mike Ling, who has completed nine years in the team – more than any other Red Arrows pilot – and the last six years as supervisor and team commentator.

The Red Arrows are based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and are famous for flying BAE Systems Hawks in a Diamond Nine formation.

For more information about the team, follow @rafredarrows on Twitter, see the latest images posted on Instagram by following rafredarrows, like RAF Red Arrows on Facebook or visit www.raf.mod.uk/reds

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

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CLOSE links between the United Kingdom and Oman have been celebrated with a display in Muscat by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.

Aircraft from the world-renowned display team performed a precision show of loops, rolls and close-passes in front of thousands of people lining a coastline of the capital and also a reception for senior government officials.

The display is part of a five-week overseas tour by the Red Arrows supporting UK interests.

The visit to Oman, which also includes a number of ground events showcasing British excellence in engineering, education and innovation, marks the close relationship between the two countries.

Wing Commander Andrew Keith, Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, said: “Displaying in Oman and for the people of Muscat is a clear demonstration of the UK’s close links with the country, particularly among our Armed Forces.

“The Red Arrows have a vital role when visiting locations overseas, being versatile ambassadors for the UK and able to promote – in a bold and dynamic way – the very best of British across a range of sectors and industries.

“The display in Muscat is just one of the activities we are able to carry out to support these interests – a number of the Red Arrows’ technicians are due to visit a local college this week to highlight to young people the importance of the so-called STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths.”

Known as Exercise Eastern Hawk, the Red Arrows’ five-week deployment overseas follows a busy domestic season in which the aerobatic team performed for millions of people and more than 60 times across the UK.

The team has already visited France, Greece, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar as part of the tour.

Following Oman, the Red Arrows will display in Pakistan and Bahrain before a flypast in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and then will return home.

One of the Red Arrows’ key roles is supporting UK trade, business, education and industry and working as part of the GREAT Britain campaign.

The campaign is the Government’s most ambitious international marketing campaign ever and showcases the very best of what the whole nation has to offer in order to encourage the world to visit, study and do business with the UK.

It focuses on China, India, Brazil, USA, the Gulf, France, Germany, Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Emerging Europe and is also active in more than 144 countries worldwide.

Famous for flying British-built BAE Systems Hawk fast-jets in a Diamond Nine formation, the Red Arrows are based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

For more information about the team, follow @rafredarrows on Twitter, see the latest images posted on Instagram by following rafredarrows, like RAF Red Arrows on Facebook or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds” www.raf.mod.uk/reds

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

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Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon aircraft from 6 Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland were welcomed at Azraq airbase in Jordan to celebrate a common heritage.

The RAF Typhoons were on their way to exercise in the Middle East where Azraq airbase commander, Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Colonel Mohammad Hiyasat welcomed them. He said: “In the 1950s the late King Abdullah the First presented the RAF No 6 Squadron with the Royal Standard. Then in 1995 Jordanian No 6 Squadron and the British No 6 squadron became sister squadrons. His Royal Highness Prince Faisal, a squadron commander, led the efforts to join the two squadrons because he knew that cooperation would benefit both air forces.”

Typhoon Force Commander, Air Commodore Ian Duguid who flew in one of the Typhoons from the UK was enthusiastic, saying: “The opportunity to come and fly into this part of the Middle East, though Jordanian airspace and land in Azraq air base provides exceptional training. I was fortunate to fly on the trail from the UK here to Azraq. In the fourship two of the pilots were on their first posting and I have seen their confidence and experience grow.”

He added: “We thought it would be an excellent idea whilst 6 Squadron was deploying for them to be able to come and base themselves at Azraq, which is the home of 6 Squadron of the RJAF, and be able to interact and rekindle those relationships and friendships we have had over the years. The UK has a great relationship with Jordan from a strategic perspective. Clearly we are working with Jordan and many others in the coalition in the fight against Daesh. The Jordanians are able to offer us support through airspace overflight and diversion capabilities.”

Lieutenant Colonel Sa’ad Shehaltogh, Officer Commanding 6 Squadron of the Royal Jordanian Air Force recognised the long heritage, saying: “For me it is an honour to be commander of a squadron that has a relationship with the RAF’s 6 Squadron that dates to the 1950s and later when HRH Prince Faisal was a squadron commander.” He continued: “This is the continuation of a legacy. It’s something we shouldn’t lose and of which we should be proud. Hopefully people will be here in the future celebrating the hundred years of the squadrons as sisters.”

Wing Commander Billy Cooper, Officer Commanding 6 Squadron of the RAF said: “One of the great things about the squadrons in the RAF is the real sense of history we engender and that really informs the ethos that we have. Our relationship with Jordan is such an important part of 6 Squadron’s history that it really is a great privilege for us to rekindle that here at Azraq.”

RJAF 6 Squadron pilot, Captain Mohammed Abu Aljazar speaking at a reception held for the visiting pilots from Lossiemouth said: “It’s a very good opportunity since we had never met before and we have an old history between us. We hope to meet and train together in the UK in the future.”

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

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