RAF and United States Air Force aircraft based in the UK have practised dispersing their aircraft and personnel to other UK locations at short notice and continuing to operate without their usual ground support.
F-35s in a line on the runway.
Exercise Agile Shield tested the ability of UK and US flying units and support teams to conduct Agile Combat Employment – to leave their main operating base at very short notice and operate from a new location with minimal delay and a reduced footprint of support.
Serviceperson on the phone, in black and white, with other servicepeople working behind him.
USAF F35A fighter jets based with 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath deployed to RAF Marham to hone both Air Forces’ ability to conduct Agile Combat Employment collaboratively.
Tails of F-35s in a line.
A RAF P-8A Poseidon relocated from RAF Lossiemouth in North Scotland to Newquay Airport, while Typhoons left RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth for RAF Cranwell and Leuchars Airfield. Meanwhile, an A400M Atlas transported a Combat Team from the British Army’s 34 Field Squadron – experts in repairing runways – to Prestwick Airport, as well as delivering vital equipment to the Poseidon stationed in Cornwall.
RAF Atlas taking off.
Equally significant were the RAF’s Command and Control elements, known as C2, who moved locations to set up temporary Operations Centres. The C2 contribution was vital to maintaining communications and overall control of the many units involved.
The Royal Air Force is ensuring Britain is secure in a more sustainable manner by using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with normal jet fuel on routine operations for the first time.
Aircraft including Typhoon and Poseidon submarine hunters, operating from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, have been using a blend of conventional and SAF in a first for the air force as they take to the skies to defend the UK and allies.
Between November 2023 to February 2024, four million litres of blended sustainable aviation fuel were delivered to the Royal Air Force through a contract with World Fuel Services. A further five million one hundred and fifty thousand litres of fuel are being delivered over the period July to October 2024.
The fuel is used to power aircraft operating from Lossiemouth in Morayshire, northern Scotland. RAF Lossiemouth is one of the UK’s busiest RAF stations and is home to Typhoon aircraft that are ready to deploy 24/7, 365 as part of the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert – keeping Britain secure.
Sustainable fuel sources include hydrogenated fats and oils, wood waste, alcohols, sugars, household waste, biomass and algae. As aviation currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of fuel used across defence, this first for the RAF demonstrates the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions with no compromise to national security.
In 2020, the Ministry of Defence updated aviation fuel standards to allow up to 50% sustainable sources to be used in fuel mixes for defence aircraft. Using blended SAF can cut aircraft carbon emissions by up to 80% and it is a significant step towards bolstering both operational capability and climate change and sustainability efforts.
The RAF has been trialling different types of fuel since the update to fuel standards. In November 2021, an RAF pilot flew a microlight aircraft powered by synthetic fuel created from air and water in a world first. In Spring 2022, a drone was flown on synthetic kerosene made by genetically modified bacteria and the RAF has tested an electric aircraft flown at RAF Cranwell.
In November 2022, an RAF Voyager successfully trialled the use of 100% sustainable aviation fuel, flying for 90 minutes from RAF Brize Norton – a world first for a wide-bodied military aircraft, a joint endeavour between the RAF, DE&S and industry partners Airbus, AirTanker and Rolls-Royce, with the fuel supplied by Air bp.
In 2023, the Royal Air Force successfully used SAF to achieve the first SAF blend air-to-air refuelling of a Typhoon and C-130 Hercules aircraft. This was followed by the RAF’s display typhoon being powered on blended SAF at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, the first time this aircraft has been displayed to the public on this fuel.
This work has helped to pave the way for the use of sustainable aviation fuels in the commercial sector, including a Government-funded transatlantic flight by Virgin Atlantic last year.
The use of sustainable aviation fuel represents a significant milestone in the RAF’s journey towards helping mitigate against climate change. By integrating sustainable practices into our operations, we are not only enhancing our ability to protect the nation and deliver excellence on operations, but also contributing to a more sustainable future for generations to come."
RAF F-35B jets from RAF Marham have deployed to Iceland to take part in a NATO air policing mission. This is the first time that British F-35s will have conducted a NATO air policing mission.
This follows the recent completion of a similar four-month mission by Typhoon aircraft in Romania. The F-35Bs from 617 Squadron will defend NATO airspace in the Arctic Region.
NATO air policing is a permanent peacetime mission, that preserves the security of Allied skies. It is a collective task and involves the continuous presence of fighter aircraft and crews, which are ready to react quickly to possible airspace violations.
This latest mission comes as the Prime Minister underlined the UK’s cast iron commitment to NATO at its Summit in Washington last month, as he emphasised his determination to safeguard the future of the Alliance and face down global threats to Britain and its western allies.
Following a successful mission in Romania, where six Typhoon fighter jets and over two hundred personnel were stationed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, defending NATO’s eastern border, the RAF now moves to Iceland.
This time, the cutting edge F-35 jets from 617 Squadron will be patrolling Icelandic airspace, having travelled from RAF Marham. This is the first time British jets have taken part in such activity in Iceland since 2019, when four Typhoon jets flew 59 training sorties and more than 180 practice intercepts.
A RAF detachment that has been taking part in Australian-led Exercise Pitch Black will be returning to the UK following the conclusion of the three-week exercise.
The UK detachment consisted of six Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby based XI (F) Squadron and Voyager from the Air Mobility Force based at RAF Brize Norton, plus supporting elements from across the RAF have been in Australia since the 12th July.
In week one the nations flying on the exercise conducted simulated offensive counter-air operations against another nation. During weeks two and three the aircrew focused on air interdiction scenarios in a complex air environment, which meant that participants were divided into either 'red team' or 'blue team' flying from separate locations attacking one another in varying scenarios. The overarching aim was to practice Offensive Counter Air and Defensive Counter Air combat in an airspace that is larger than the UK.
They said: “The Royal Australian Air Force, as the organiser of Pitch Black, is in charge of setting the scene. Typically, it is a disputed region that has been overrun by the red side, the bad guys, and the blue side has to take it back.
Interoperability means that each air force of each nation is not just looking out for itself, but is trying to share procedures at the operational level so that there is a common understanding of interrelated air operations and thus common benefits and advantages.”
For XI (F) Squadron, participation in Exercise Pitch Black also allowed the Squadron to renew friendships with the RAAF’s 1 Squadron with whom they flew alongside during in Exercise Bersama Lima in 2023. During the exercise, they also flew with nations with whom the UK is building new stronger relationships including Japan, India and Papua New Guinea.
The RAF has concluded its participation in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024 (RIMPAC) in Hawaii, the world's largest international maritime exercise.
For the exercise a pair of Poseidon MRA.1 maritime patrol aircraft were flown 10,000 miles to Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam to participate in an exercise of a scale and complexity unavailable anywhere else in the world.
Air Commodore Paton, ISTAR Force Commander said: “RIMPAC is huge. The Poseidon Force is still in growth, still learning, and to be able to come out here and operate with a whole plethora of capabilities, both surface and sub-surface, is a serious level of complexity for the crews to be able to operate successfully.”
With 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, and over 25,000 personnel, RIMPAC provided a unique training opportunity and has helped build and reinforce the International partnerships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.
Wing Commander Henderson said “It’s great to see us out here again with our first global deployment. We’ve operated locally in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, but this is truly another level for Poseidon and a whole team effort.
To be able to deploy to Hawaii and sustain operations at home at the same time shows just how far Poseidon as a force has come, and it’s absolutely amazing to have this opportunity.”
Officer Commanding Air Wing Support, RAF Lossiemouth, and UK Detachment Commander for the exercise
The planning for the exercise took 12 months and represents the latest milestone for RAF maritime patrol representing as it did the largest detachment the Poseidon Force has achieved to date, for the longest amount of time, and at the greatest distance.
Rotary Assets from across the Joint Aviation Command (JAC) including Apache, Chinook, Wildcat, and Merlin, have come together at RAF Leeming to take part in the very first Exercise Hades Warrior under Aviation Task Force (Support Helicopter) Headquarters (ATF(SH)).
Bringing together aircraft, personnel and many Force Elements, from across the JAC, Exercise Hades Warrior saw aircraft from all over the country, including Apache from 7 Army Air Corps, Chinook from 27 Squadron RAF Odiham, Merlin from the Commando Helicopter Force, and Wildcat from 847 Naval Air Squadron, all under the leadership of the ATF(SH) and evaluation of 22 Squadron, RAF Benson. Key life support was provided by 3 Mobile Catering Squadron (3MCS), who provided over 7000 delicious hot and cold meals of the highest quality.
The Exercise saw over 200 Pilots, Aircrew, and ground support staff, deployed to the Northern HAS Site of RAF Leeming over a two-week period. Running daily flying sorties across the north of England and into Scotland, the exercise provided first-in-class training for Aircrew and a golden opportunity to showcase JAC, and enablers, as a vital element of the UK’s readiness and capability on Joint Operations and the Joint Service nature of bringing all Force Elements under a single Command.
Wing Commander Green, OC 22 Squadron said: “Exercise Hades Warrior promised a fantastic opportunity to enhance JAC capability and readiness by refreshing, honing, and enhancing high-end warfighting skills, and for 22 Squadron to develop the next generation of tri-service rotary tactics instructors in a collaborative training environment. Enabled by the hard work of many across enabling units, in JAC and at RAF Leeming, the Ex very much delivered on that promise."
The Royal Air Force recently imported a second Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).
Engineers from 31 Squadron have completed the build and initial testing of this second aircraft, prior to further test and evaluation, led by 56 Squadron over the coming months.
The RAF, working with Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) expect 5 more aircraft to be delivered by the end of this year as Protector prepares to establish Aircrew and Technician training in the UK this year and take over operations from Reaper (MQ-9A) in 2025.
The delivery of this aircraft completes a busy period for the Programme, with initial flight-testing using aircraft one conducted in November 2023. Initial training is taking place at GA-ASI’s facilities in the US, utilising three other RAF owned aircraft, where a Protector Technician Course began in February, and the first Protector crews graduated from Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) in April. Training will transition to the UK later this year utilising the first phase of infrastructure work recently completed at RAF Waddington, the home of Protector in the UK. An international MQ-9B symposium was hosted by the RAF at RAF Cranwell in April this year.
Simon Holford, Uncrewed Air Systems Delivery Team Leader at Defence Equipment & Support said: “Seeing delivery and assembly of the second Protector aircraft in the UK is yet another measure of the significant progress on this project and testament to the hard work of everyone involved. Together with the three aircraft we have already taken delivery of in the US (which remain in the US for use in trials and/or training), we have now taken delivery of five of the sixteen aircraft we have ordered.”
Last weekend the RAF Typhoon made history when it completed its first public display on a blend of sustainable fuel and regular jet fuel at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).
The aircraft’s eight-minute display, flown by Flight Lieutenant David ‘Turbo’ Turnbull, flew on a 35% blend of sustainable fuel in collaboration with RIAT under the airshow’s theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’.
RAF Typhoons are highly capable and extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft and capable of speeds of nearly 1,400 mph.
The Royal International Air Tattoo, UK’s most prestigious airshow, welcomes 150,000 people to RAF Fairford every year with all proceeds from the event being donated to its parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.
Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris, Director Support said: “The Royal Air Force was delighted to be able to perform a world first at RIAT, displaying a UK combat aircraft using a blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Having cleared all of our aircraft to use blends of up to 50% in 2020, and conducting the world’s first military transport aircraft flight on 100% SAF in 2022, we remain at the forefront of this important work with industry partners.
Commandos have been put through their paces with raid, insertion, and rescue techniques in a range of scenarios both at sea and on land. Personnel from Commando Helicopter Force’s 847 Naval Air Squadron worked with Commando Forces from a range of units during a week of intense training across the south coast.
A Wildcat helicopter from 847 NAS and Chinooks from 7 Squadron RAF were used for a 4-aircraft aviation raid near Goodwood and then helicasting off Portland before CHF 847 NAS completed Joint Personnel Recovery serials near Exeter with the Royal Marines and 29 Commando.
Poor weather precluded getting into the objective area of the aviation raid, however this was used as a training evolution. It tested the formation commander’s captaincy decisions and the skills of the handling pilots as they battled through heavy rain under a low cloud base in falling light.
Next up was helicasting in Portland with UK Commando Forces practising the insertion technique at sea before being recovered by boats. It’s a skill which gets Commandos into the action quickly, dropping them from the back of helicopters into the ocean.
The Royal Marines from M Company, 42 Commando, leapt from the Wildcat and Chinook helicopters into the water below.
The Special Relationship between the United Kingdom and United States is built upon the common language, beliefs and cultures of both nations. Over time, it has been enhanced through shared military endeavours, which for the past 75 years have been bolstered further by our enduring partnership within NATO.
One of the latest examples of the special relationship working in practice has seen Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, the inaugural commander of UK Space Command, crossing the Atlantic to take up a new role with the US Space Force.
In an unprecedented move, Air Marshal Godfrey took up the role of Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships on 17th June 2024. He will advise General Chance Saltzman, the Chief of US Space Operations on everything related to achieving space superiority and resilience through international partnerships.
“I am privileged to be appointed as the Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships. Space is a team sport, and we cannot hope to maintain Competitive Endurance in the domain without a coalition of like-minded space-faring nations committed to responsible space behaviours. I am incredibly proud to be part of that team.”
“I am grateful to AM Godfrey for the fantastic job he has done, taking UK Space Command from inception to being an integral and capable part of UK and global defence and welcome his successor, Major General Tedman."
Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Rich Knighton
Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Rich Knighton said: “The US is one of our closest partners in the space domain and I congratulate AM Godfrey on his appointment to the US Space Force, which will strengthen the special relationship we have with our US allies. He’s exactly the right person for the job and I look forward to our nations continuing to work together to maintain superiority in the space domain.”
Royal Air Force personnel and aircraft have deployed to Hawaii for the largest military training exercise in the region.
Two Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) maritime patrol aircraft have arrived at Hickam Air Force Base to join over 25,000 personnel from 28 other nations participating in Rim of the Pacific 24 (RIMPAC).
The aircraft departed RAF Lossiemouth in early July at the start of a 7,000 nautical mile journey to Honolulu via a refuelling stop at Goose Bay, Canada, and overnight stay near Seattle. On arrival they were greeted by Indian Navy Captain A K Singh, Deputy Commander of Combined Task Force 172 for the exercise.
The biennial exercise and will see members of CXX and 201 Squadrons fly and train alongside other maritime patrol squadrons, fighter aircraft, 40 surface ships and three submarines. Engineering and operations support personnel will also operate alongside multinational colleagues, with others embedded within the exercise headquarters.
Group Captain Pete Thorbjornsen, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, 11 Group RAF said: “We work closely with allied and partner nations in the Indo-Asia Pacific to improve Inter-operability, enhance security and provide disaster relief in humanitarian crises. RIMPAC will help strengthen and reinforce these relationships and demonstrates our commitment to a free and open region.”
The UK's Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of Squadron Leader Mark Long, from Bury St Edmunds, who was killed in the Battle of Britain Memorial flight Spitfire crash on Saturday. An investigation is underway into why the old warbird came down shortly after taking off from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire around 13:20.
While studying Economics at the University of Warwick, Mark learnt to fly on the University of Birmingham Air Squadron. He graduated from Initial Officer Training in 2003 and was subsequently sent to RAF Linton on Ouse to fly the Tucano, gaining his ‘wings’ in 2004. His Advanced Flying Training was on the Hawk and he was selected to remain on 208(R) Squadron to take on the role of an Instructor.
On completion of his instructional tour, Mark converted to the Harrier GR7/9 and was posted to 1(F) Squadron, RAF Cottesmore. He was the last RAF Harrier pilot qualified to conduct operations off an aircraft carrier.
In 2012 Mark joined the Typhoon Force, and was assigned to XI Squadron at RAF Coningsby, before an assignment to 29 Squadron in 2014 on instructional duties. In 2016 he was the Typhoon Display Pilot. His primary role was to teach the student pilots how to operate the Typhoon.
In addition to his instructional duties, Mark contributed to RAF Coningsby’s primary task of defending UK sovereign airspace by undertaking Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties, both in the UK and in the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (Falklands Islands), and additionally conducting QRA duties whilst on Baltic Air Policing Operations in Lithuania.
Mark lived in Lincolnshire with his wife, two daughters and dog. 2024 was his fourth season with the BBMF.
Mark’s family said: "Mark lived his life with an unwavering passion with laughter, love, and dedication to his family. His talent for flying was there for all to see, and his ability to connect to everyone he met was infectious. Mark will be cherished and deeply missed by us all."
Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, Officer Commanding Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, said: "In life, we are occasionally privileged to meet incredible people like Mark. Mark touched the hearts of everyone that he met, always prioritising the needs of others before himself. The epitome of a military fighter pilot, he personified the very best of the Royal Air Force and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. We were lucky to have him as part of the team and part of our BBMF family. Always a vision of calm, Mark faced life’s obstacles with a wry smile, a knowing nod and a pint of tea. Above all, he was a devoted husband and a proud father. Whilst words alone cannot adequately convey our loss, he will remain forever “the best boss that BBMF never had."
Group Captain Samantha Bunn has been appointed as the new Provost Marshal (RAF) and Commander of the Air Security Force.
As Provost Marshal (RAF) Group Captain Bunn will be Chief of the RAF Police and is responsible to the Chief of the Air Staff and the Air Force Main Board for police investigations and the exercise of police authority. The RAF Police plays a central role in maintaining the security and resilience of the RAF by providing a unique blend of Law Enforcement, Counter Intelligence, Protective Security, which includes Military Working Dogs and, Aviation Security. Our Regular and Reserve military personnel, our civil servants and our contractors work continuously to protect, secure and enable the RAF to carry out successful Air and Space operations in the United Kingdom and across the world.
Group Captain Samantha Bunn said: “My appointment as the Provost Marshal (RAF) and Commander of the Air Security Force is the greatest honour for a member of the RAF Police fraternity. To lead the exceptional personnel of the RAF Police, MPGS, Civil Servants and Reservists within the Air Security Force is something I am incredibly proud of and look forward to the next 2 years where we will continue to enable Air and Space commands in the delivery of operations at home and across the globe."
Group Captain Bunn joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment in 1995 prior to entering Regular service in 1998 as a Weapons Technician. Commissioning as a Provost Officer in 2003 she has served in a variety of appointments in the UK and Overseas. As a Special Investigations Branch Officer, she contributed to several high-profile investigations nationally and globally including the Peer Case Review which contributed to the Haddon-Cave Report. More recently, she commanded Number 2 RAF Police and Security Wing where she aligned the Wing to secure and protect 5th generation capabilities.
RAF Fighter Squadron arrives in Romania to co-lead NATO Air Policing mission
Royal Air Force fighter jets have started protecting NATO’s eastern flank, close to the Black Sea, following a handover ceremony held on 9th April in Romania.
Six RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft are taking part in the four-month mission, with jets from IX (Bomber) Squadron, along with more than two hundred RAF personnel from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (140EAW) deployed from RAF Lossiemouth to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania. They will fly alongside the Romanian Air Force as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission until August.
The air policing mission begins this week following a ceremony today, 9th April, involving RAF personnel, their Romanian counterparts, and NATO officials. The personnel involved in the mission will be on standby at a moment’s notice to launch Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) intercepts of Russian aircraft approaching NATO airspace.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Our NATO air policing deployment helps to keep Europe’s skies secure, and I pay tribute to the dedicated personnel delivering this important mission.
Ready to launch at a moment’s notice for the next four months, the Typhoon pilots will respond with professionalism to threats and incidents in support of our collective security.
We’re showing the scale of our commitment to NATO in its 75th year, with deployments like this and thousands of personnel operating and exercising across the alliance to keep the UK and our allies safe.”
The countries involved in NATO’s air policing missions rotate on a regular basis, with the RAF having flown to intercept more than 50 Russian aircraft in the first half of last year while leading the Alliance’s enhanced air policing mission from Estonia. This will be the fifth time the RAF have participated in the air policing mission in Romania.
RAF Lossiemouth’s Moray Flying Club has begun flying a new electric aircraft, putting it on track to become the UK’s first recreational flying club to offer direct carbon emission-free initial pilot training.
The new Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft - callsign ‘MORAY 01 ELECTRIC’ - took to the skies on Sunday 24 March 2024 for its first training flight.
Moray Flying Club (MFC) recently leased the aircraft from electric-flying specialists NEBOair, as part of a drive to reduce the environmental and noise impact of their flying. The aircraft is powered by electricity from the grid, like an electric car.
The innovation will mean that students can reach their first solo flight without direct carbon emissions.
Other green-minded moves have enabled MFC to further cut emissions, with the use of a NEBOair-supplied Virtual Reality simulator cutting down on the overall number of flying hours needed to achieve a full private pilot’s licence.
The Club has also replaced two older aircraft with Rotax-engine aircraft that use lower-lead fuel and are much quieter.
MFC estimate that the new innovations will slash their emissions by around 30%, which they say is just the start.
Squadron Leader David Taudevin, Officer-in-charge, Moray Flying Club. "As the RAF seeks to achieve Net Zero by 2040, ahead of the UK’s 2050 target, our recreational flying clubs need to play their part and so we’re delighted that our electric aircraft has taken to the skies.
This is a momentous occasion for us as a club and represents a big leap forward into a new world of sustainable aviation, helping Moray Flying Club’s students learn to fly in a cleaner, greener way.
While these innovations are already helping our Club significantly reduce its environmental and noise impact, cutting our direct emissions is only the first step. We hope that by sharing our experience with other military and civilian flying clubs we can help drive the recreational flying sector towards Net Zero."
Alongside aircraft, Global Enablement’s No. 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron, 5001 Squadron Engineers and No. 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron specialists were also asked to participate in Exercise Energise Volfa. The aim was to train together as a coalition in a complex air environment facing a high-level near peer threat. By building on Tactical Aviation refuelling capability, the RAF will remain ready to fly and fight across the globe 24 hours a day.
3200 miles. 61 days. 19 hours. 14 minutes. That’s how long it took the Atlantic Rocks team to row from Lanzarote to Antigua in their boat, Sentinel, covering an incredible 3200 nautical miles.
An already challenging endeavour was made all the more difficult by weather conditions and several obstacles the team had to adapt and overcome throughout the journey.
Pictured left, all four rowers standing on the boat celebrating after the row, photo RAF.
These started when the EFOY (fuel cell) fitted to Sentinel encountered servicing issues within the first week of the crossing, which unfortunately couldn't be fixed remotely, this meant that the team had to hand and foot steer and navigate Sentinel during the day with minimal power systems, to conserve the solar power. This then allowed them to use the digital navigation systems during darkness hours through solar power generated during the day.
Overcoming the initial issues presented by the lack of EFOY was exacerbated by the 7-knot headwinds and low pressure, which made the conditions feel like the team were rowing through treacle. The team routinely rowed 40-50 nautical miles per day even through these conditions, with the weather router suggesting these were the most challenging conditions they'd encountered in 25 years!
Despite battling extremely difficult conditions for the entire row, with their journey exceeding the presumed length, the team supported the University of Michigan in their battle to tackle plastic pollution in our oceans. For example, by taking water samples and recording the latitude and longitude of where the samples were collected. These samples have now been sent to the university, to measure plastic pollution across the South Atlantic.
During the row the team came up against issues with their BGAN - used for remote Internet connectivity. Originally, it was believed the issues would rectify once in range of the westernly satellite, however, it was then determined that damage had occurred - likely in a storm - that couldn't be fixed remotely. This not only meant that media for the teams' social media couldn't be received for most of their row, but also meant that the team's communication with the outside world was limited and sadly they had limited access to any music, hampering morale slightly.
One night, the team even had a close encounter with a large tanker. They noticed the tanker was heading into their way of passage, and to avoid a potentially catastrophic event, the team tried to contact the tanker via radio multiple times, to no avail. Finally, the tanker responded and moved out of the way, roughly 100m from their vessel. Dynamic and fast thinking saw the team act with efficiency and professionalism, avoiding what could've been a much worse outcome.
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To find out more about their remarkable journey and learn more about the charities they're supporting visit: https://atlantic.rocks/.
The Pentagon has finally approved the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for full-rate production, five years later than originally anticipated reports Breaking Defense.
The U.S. Defense Department acquisition chief Bill LaPlante signed off on the “milestone C” decision earlier this week, a crucial moment signifying the department’s confidence in the performance of the aircraft and maturity of Lockheed Martin’s production system — though the plane has already been in service in the US and with friendly foreign nations for years and has suffered a vast number of mechanical and practical issues that have resulted in an aircraft that is 80% fit for use, according to some RAF personnel working on the aircraft.
“This is a major achievement for the F-35 Program,” LaPlante said, according to a Pentagon news release. “This decision — backed by my colleagues in the Department — highlights to the Services, F-35 Cooperative Program Partners, and Foreign Military Sales customers that the F-35 is stable and agile, and that all statutory and regulatory requirements have been appropriately addressed.”
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The Princess Royal toured the brand-new Headquarters, accommodation and welfare facilities at Al Minhad Air Base (AMAB) alongside the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Support Operations), Air Vice-Marshal Pratley earlier this month. They were accompanied by Sir Hobart, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the UAE, and Brigadier General Al Ketbi, AMAB Commander.
“I am delighted to attend the opening of Donnelly Lines, an essential part of the UK’s global footprint, and an example of our enduring presence overseas in what remains an uncertain world beset by turbulent times.
Our continued investment here is a further example of the UK’s commitment to the security of the region and is a tangible commitment to the work for peace, security, and stability, working hand in hand with our allies in the UAE.
The siting of Donnelly Lines at AMAB enables the UK to maintain our freedom of action and ability to conduct operations from the UAE, bolstering our operational resilience. It is of vital importance, and I recognise the hard work and stellar efforts of the team, who have, over several years, worked tirelessly around the clock to make this possible.”
Air Vice-Marshal Pratley
Project Senior Responsible Officer
A joint UAE Air Force Al Fursan and RAF A400M flypast honoured the opening ceremony which included a coalition parade and a commemoration to the late Sergeant Donnelly, whom the Lines are named after.
Royal Air Force Voyager tanker has successfully refuelled Swedish Gripen fighters taking part in NATO’s biggest exercise in decades.
The tanker was operating from RAF Lossiemouth in northern Scotland when it rendezvoused with the Swedish jets and United States Marine Corps F-35Bs, over the Arctic Circle.
Normally based at RAF Brize Norton, the Voyager flew sorties from Lossiemouth on Exercise Nordic Response, part of Exercise Steadfast Defender.
The Royal Air Force and Swedish Air Force have been increasing cooperation in recent months. This latest exercise saw dogfighting fighters refuel over Sweden, in the run-up to the country’s NATO accession. Steadfast Defender is demonstrating NATO’s ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area during a simulated emerging conflict across the maritime, land, air, space and cyber domains.
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Voyager is the RAF’s sole air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker and also operates as a strategic air transport. The aircraft is in service as the Voyager KC.Mk 2, equipped with two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, and as the Voyager KC.Mk 3, with an additional centreline hose for use by large aircraft.
