Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have arrived at a Polish Air Base to conduct multiple training exercises with Poland and other NATO allies.
The four Typhoons and a Globemaster C-17 transport aircraft flew from RAF Akrotiri, where the Typhoons are currently based, to Poznan where they were welcomed by their Polish counterparts.
The two-week deployment, codenamed Op Carson, will involve pilots undertaking combat air training with Poland, Italy and Spain to practice dogfighting against different types of aircraft to develop tactics. Close Air Support (CAS) training will also be conducted with UK and US Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) who direct the action of combat aircraft.
The Typhoon detachment is being led by, Sqn Ldr Hunter, who said: "Over the next fortnight, we will be working closely with our allies practicing engaging targets beyond visual range and simulating various possible combat scenarios with forces both on the ground and in the air over Eastern skies.
We take our role in European security seriously and these joint exercises only serve to bolster collective defence across the region."
In addition to the flying Squadron, UK-based RAF personnel including engineers, cyberspace communication specialists, force protection specialists and a range of trades with high-level skill sets are forward deployed to Poland to enable the delivery of the training.
The detachment is being supported by part of the Tactical Communications Wing, a part of 90 Signals Unit. Sergeant Connolly from the detachment said:
90SU are an effective Global Enablement unit who establish a base for aircraft to operate from. The encompassing capability of all supporting functions is crucial in successful operational output despite where, when or how it is required.
The activity comes ahead of UK Ministers attending the Warsaw Security Forum this week. Defence Minister James Heappey and FCDO ministers Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Lord Ahmad will all use the forum to stress the need to maintain support for Ukraine and keep up the pressure on Russia.
