Pathfinder troops readying for a jump over Estonia from an RAF C-17 Globemaster as part of a Nato exercise
British Army Pathfinders jumped over Rapla Air Base in Estonia, from 12,000ft from the Globemaster (Picture: RAF).
RAF

British Army Pathfinders jump from RAF C-17 Globemaster over Estonia in Nato exercise

Pathfinder troops readying for a jump over Estonia from an RAF C-17 Globemaster as part of a Nato exercise
British Army Pathfinders jumped over Rapla Air Base in Estonia, from 12,000ft from the Globemaster (Picture: RAF).

Highly specialised Pathfinder troops from the British Army have jumped from an RAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft over Estonia as part of a Nato exercise.

The Pathfinders, from 16 Air Assault Brigade, are an advanced reconnaissance force, jumping ahead of everyone else to find enemy positions and mark drop zones.

They also work with the main body of troops with tactical intelligence and offensive action support.

	Inside of a C-17 Globemaster aircraft whilst deployed on a Nato exercise above Estonia
The Pathfinders jumped out of a C-17 Globemaster, which flew the 1,200 miles from RAF Brize Norton to Estonia (Picture: RAF).

In this exercise, they jumped from the Globemaster – part of the Air Mobility Force operated by 99 Squadron – over Rapla Air Base in Estonia.

The aircraft flew the 1,200 miles from RAF Brize Norton to Rapla and, after locating the drop zone, the C-17 opened up, with the Pathfinders jumping out.

	British Army Pathfinder jumping out of an RAF C-17 Globemaster above Estonia as part of a Nato exercise
A British Army Pathfinder jumping above Estonia as part of a Nato exercise (Picture: RAF).

The jump came as part of Exercise Swift Response, the first of three major US-led exercises for Nato Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness.

It started on 7 May and spans the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean regions.

Countries participating alongside the UK include the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United States.

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