RAF aircraft conduct intensive training with US B-1B Lancer strategic bombers over the North Sea.
Royal Air Force aircraft were dropped from RAF stations Lossiemouth, Waddington and Brize Norton, to escort USAF B-1B Lancer bombers, which were carrying out their last long-range training screening. The US aircraft are part of the 28th Bomb Wing of the US Bomber Task Force and took off from their home base at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. The training also included other NATO and allied nations.
The B-1Bs were met by Eurofighter Typhoons over the North Sea and were escorted to the Baltic region, where the escort was handed over. to the Swedish Gripen fighters.
A Typhoon pilot from IX(B) Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth said: “It was a privilege to fly alongside our US Air Force colleagues, demonstrating our ability to work with our allies anywhere, anytime. Typically, Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth are launched to intercept aircraft that may pose a threat to UK airspace, identifying them and determining their intentions. ”
During the flight across the North Sea, the air group was accompanied by a US KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, a KDC-10 from the 334th Squadron, based at RNLAF Air Base Eindhoven and an RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton to conduct aerial refueling.
An RAF E-3D Sentry aircraft flying from RAF Waddington was also airborne at the same time. Personnel aboard the Sentinel coordinated the mission while RAF and NATO planes flew over the North Sea.
Deputy Air Marshal Ian Duguid, an officer in Commanding 11 Group, said: “This was another excellent opportunity to demonstrate the Royal Air Force's continued commitment to the NATO alliance. Working closely with the US and other NATO nations helps build a collective capability within NATO that enhances our level of interoperability. ”
Source: RAF
