RAF Current Affairs - Overseas

Question 1

With which nation did RAF crews recently train with on an intelligence gathering exercise, what was the name of this exercise, with which aircraft, when, where and why is this important?

Answer 1

• The RAF trained with members of the US Air Force
• Exercise Red Flag
• Crews trained using the RC 135 Rivet Joint intelligence gathering aircraft, a long range intelligence gathering aircraft
• Feburary, 2023
• Nellis Air Base, Nevada, USA
• This is important first of all as it trains for potential co-operation between the two nations airforces on conducting potentially long range reconnaissance missions, enabling further potential exploitation of information sources during operations
• This also continues to build internal bonds and relations both between the two nations airforces, but also politically as part of the NATO alliance

Question 2

With which middle eastern nation did the RAF recently partake in a joint air warfare training exercise, what is the name of this exercise, when, with what other nations, using what aircraft, and why is this important?

Answer 2

• Saudi Arabia
• Exercise Spears of Victory
• February, 2023
• With Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the USA, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates
• Involving RAF Typhoons
• Wide array of different nations airforces taking part increases overall NATO readiness, while also training RAF crews on co-operation and teamworking with a wide array of different nationalities and fighter aircraft

Question 3

In which Eastern European nation did RAF personnel and assets recently deploy in, involving which helicopter assets, what is the name of this operation, what is the specific importance of this operation?

Answer 3

• Estonia
• Involving Chinook helicopters from RAF 18 Squadron
• A part of Operation Peleda
• This deployment enables further defence and readiness of potential target states of Russian aggression following the invasion of Ukraine. This includes other NATO assets being deployed Estonia, such as the French military sending Rafael fighter jets, mechanized infantry companies and Leclerc tank companies.

Question 4

Which nations Joint Forces Command Exercise did the RAF recently take part in, when, in which country, involving what RAF assets, what kind of involvement for the RAF, why is this important?

Answer 4

• The French Military’s Orion combined arms training scenario
• March, 2023
• Taking place in Castres, southern France
• Involving Atlas C1 and C-130 transport aircraft
• The RAF provided rapid transportation and deployment capabilities for accompanying infantry brigades (2nd Royal Gurkhas and 8th French Parachutists).
• Given recent escalations in Eastern Europe following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russian, tactical and strategic mobility for ground forces is more important than ever. Being able to rapidly redeploy ground assets to target areas allows for greater tactical and strategic mobility, and the role of the RAF in this is to allow for the rapid redeployment of infantry and ground based assets (such as light armour, supplies and reinforcements).

Question 5

In which Scandinavian country does the UK partake in joint readiness air operations, what is the name of this exercise, which nations does this involve, why is this important?

Answer 5

• Sweden
• Exercise Artic Challenge
• The United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, France, Germany, the USA and other potential NATO participants
• Scandinavian airspace is key to the protection of British and other Western NATO allied airspaces, as this location - along with the Quick Reaction Alert - acts as a protection screen from potential Russian air incursions from northern Russian Air Bases

Question 6

Which Eastern Commonwealth nation hosts a Commonwealth training exercise, when will the RAF partake again, what is the name of this exercise, which Commonwealth nations are involved, why is this important?

Answer 6

• Malaysia
• Expected to partake again in 2023
• Exercise Bersama Lima
• The United Kingdom, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia
• While a large amount of defensive planning has recently been focused has been placed on Eastern Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, protection of NATO and Commonwealth member states in Asia/South Pacific must also be maintained and planned for. Potential incursion of NATO/NATO friendly airspace by the Peoples Republic of China has occurred in the past with the Republic of China in February 2023 for example, and readiness for co-operation in this area must be maintained.

Question 7

In which Middle Eastern nations are the RAF still deployed in a combat role? Since when? Against whom? Using what aircraft? Why

Answer 7

• Iraq and Syria, fighting Daesh
• Since 2014
• Daesh and other terror forces
• Using Typhoons, Tornado and Reaper Drones
• Protection of NATO staff taking part in NATO Mission Iraq, attempting to rebuild and help the people of Iraq and Syria.