Exercise Red Flag: RAF in US for combat drills

More than 300 Royal Air Force personnel and aircraft are in the US to practise complex combat drills as part of Exercise Red Flag.

Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth-based 1 (Fighter) Squadron and 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron from RAF Coningsby will take part in the exercise at the United States Air Force's (USAF) Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

Voyager airplanes from 10 and 101 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton will also take part, alongside ground support personnel.

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The Typhoons will join combat aircraft from the USAF and the Royal Australian Air Force, to practise combat exercises against aggressor aircraft, ground-based air defences, cyber and space-based threats.

RAF Detachment Commander for the exercise, Group Captain Rob Barrett, said: "I'm pleased that after many months of preparation Exercise Red Flag is now getting under way.

"The exercise will provide unparalleled training for our air and space warfighters and will help prepare them for operations against any adversary who may choose to confront us in the air, space and cyber domains.

"The opportunity to reaffirm our close ties with USAF and RAAF colleagues is also very welcome."