Air crews from the north-east have jetted-off to Scandinavia to take part in a massive training operation.
Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth’s 6 Squadron will join more than 100 other aircraft taking part in this year’s Arctic Challenge Exercise (Ace).
About 50 personnel have travelled to Sweden from the Moray base in order to support the five aircraft that will be flying drills just 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
The annual exercise, which is hosted by air forces in Norway and Finland, recreates modern warfare situations by running large-scale planning operations and a wide range of aircraft.
Refuelling tankers, search and rescue helicopters and more than 1,000 personnel from other Nato nations will join the north-east crews during the three-weeks of exercises.
The operation is one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
Two or three waves of flights will be flown every day over a vast area of land including parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Wing Commander Matthew D’Aubyn, officer commanding 6 Squadron, explained the training mission was an important part of learning to work together with other nations, including the US, Netherlands and Germany.
He said: “Ace 2019 is a fantastic opportunity for the squadron to hone its multi-role skills by conducting high-quality training with our key Nato allies and partners.
“We’re looking forward to showing how effectively we can integrate with other Nato force elements and sharing valuable tactical lessons so that we can all contribute to ensuring our collective security against any overseas threats in the future.”
The Typhoon jets from 6 Squadron routinely man the Quick Reaction Alert mission from RAF Lossiemouth, which involves them scrambling to intercept unidentified or hostile aircraft approaching UK airspace.
RAF personnel from Brize Norton, Leeming and Spadeadam will join the deployment from Lossiemouth for the Scandinavian exercise.
