Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft of the Qatari Air Force (QEAF) were refueled in flight (REVO) by a Airbus A330 MRTT of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The binational mission is part of Exercise Soaring Falcon.
The operation between RAF and QEAF is the latest cooperation between the two organisations, which even have two squadrons together.
The A330 MRTT, designated the Voyager KC.2, operated from a base in Qatar. Refueling with the Rafales took place in a variety of conditions. According to RAF, the training was designed to enable the Voyager crew and Qatari pilots to build interoperability between the personnel and equipment of the two air forces.
The Voyager used by the RAF in the REVO with Qatar is registration ZZ336, nicknamed the Vespina. Unlike the other A330s, this one is also used on VIP missions, transporting the British Prime Minister.
That is why it is also popularly called “Boris Force One”, in allusion to the US presidential plane and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside our Qatari allies during this exercise”, said Squadron Leader Harvey of 10 Squadron RAF which operates the Voyager.
“Integrated activities like these not only provide the opportunity to hone our skills and help build bilateral resupply expertise with our partner, but also demonstrate the capability and reach available when we work together.”
This is the second exercise of its kind, which is the regular deployment of the Qatar Air Refueling Service, an arrangement between the UK and Qatar that provides, in occasional and rapid deployments, REVO operations for the QEAF.
Exercise Soaring Falcon is based on strong UK military partnership with Qatar, the only nation where the UK shares t squadrons: the 11 Squadron QEAF, t training with the Hawk jet, and the 12 Squadron of the RAF, which operates Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. 12 Squadron will be sent to Qatar at the end of this year and will the air security operations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The RAF stresses that exercises such as this one enhance Qatar's ability to address shared security challenges, which helps to protect prosperity and security.
