RAF and USAF aircraft disperse and operate across the UK
September 9, 2024
Under Exercise Agile Shield UK-based RAF and United States Air Force aircraft have conducted Agile Combat Employment – leaving their main operating bases at short notice and operating from new locations with a reduced support footprint. The exercise also saw RAF Command and Control elements moving to new locations to set up temporary Operations Centres. The C2 contribution was vital to maintaining communications and overall control of the many units involved.
An RAF P-8A Poseidon relocated from RAF Lossiemouth in northern Scotland to Newquay Airport (the former RAF St Mawgan), while Typhoons left RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth for RAF Cranwell and Leuchars airfield. An A400M Atlas transported a Combat Team from the British Army’s 34 Field Squadron – experts in repairing runways – to Prestwick Airport, and also delivered vital equipment to the Poseidon in Cornwall.
USAF F-35A fighters normally based at RAF Lakenheath with the 48th Fighter Wing deployed to RAF Marham (home of the RAF’s F-35B Lightning Force) to hone both Air Forces’ ability to conduct Agile Combat Employment collaboratively.