Europe’s largest military exercise is gearing up to take place off the coast of Scotland this weekend, with aircraft already arriving at RAF Lossiemouth in preparation.
Joint Warrior is a multinational operation hosted in the UK and incorporates all three of the armed forces – the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
The NATO exercise will begin today and will engage more than 22 warships and submarines, 52 fixed wing aircraft, and a total of nearly 3,500 personnel from the various participating nations.
Ships, submarines, aircraft and ground troops will be taking part, battling each other at sea, in the air and on land in an area which stretches from the Irish Sea, north to Cape Wrath and east to the Moray Firth.
Exercise Joint Warrior represents an opportunity to demonstrate the range of capabilities available for contingency operations and provides excellent training which tests the high readiness capabilities of the armed forces.
Squadron Leader Duncan Laisney, who is the joint tactical exercise planning staff (JTEPS) fast jet element co-ordinator for Exercise Joint Warrior, said: “JTEPS exists to provide realistic higher command simulation and ensure exercise safety. In order to bolster specialist expertise JTEPS is augmented by up to 200 personnel from across the three services, many of whom are reservists.
“This October will see the return of exercise fast jets to RAF Lossiemouth, and JTEPS staff will command the fast jet element from our temporary base there.
Sq Ldr Laisney added: “Lossiemouth was chosen as it is ideally positioned to support all of the Joint Warrior activity surrounding the north of Scotland and it is capable of handling 24/7 operations by numerous fast jet aircraft and their supporting personnel.”
RAF Lossiemouth’s own Tornadoes frXV (Reserve) Squadron, flying Tornados, and Typhoons from 1(Fighter) and 6 Squadrons will also participate in the Exercise. Puma helicopters from RAF Benson will also be based at RAF for a short period of the Exercise.
Exercise Joint Warrior will not impact on the provision of Quick Reaction Alert by RAF Lossiemouth’s Typhoon squadrons.