RAF Completes 'Unique' Exercise With German Air Force

The RAF has completed a "unique" training exercise with the German Air Force in Lithuania.

The exercise, which ran for almost two weeks, was the first time a German Eurofighter detachment has been embedded within an operational RAF Expeditionary Air Wing, the Air Force said.

The Royal Air Force is in the country as part of NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission - helping to protect the alliance's airspace in the region.

Pilots from RAF Lossiemouth-based 6 Squadron took part in the training, alongside personnel from German Tactical Fighter Wing 71 "Richthofen".

The training, which focused on interoperability, saw aircraft and their crew practise interceptions and basic fighter manoeuvres from Siauliai Air Base, north Lithuania.

Pilots also practised 'scramble starts' and Quick Reaction Alert take-offs, before carrying out further intercept training where Typhoons from 6 Squadron acted as the target aircraft. 

Wing Commander Stu Gwinnutt, Commander of 135 Expeditionary Air Wing, said: "It’s been an interesting and rewarding exercise working closely with our Luftwaffe colleagues while deployed to Lithuania.

"We have demonstrated a high degree of interoperability with our Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, while highlighting areas of potential for the future.

"I think it’s fair to say that we’ve learned a lot from each other on a professional basis and made new friends as part of a combined UK-German Team; it’s been one of the many highlights of the deployment so far."

The next stage in the training process with Germany will be a repeat exercise later in the year, but with the roles reversed.

Instead, RAF Typhoons will be embedded within a German Air Force detachment, when they next conduct Baltic Air Policing operations.

The exercise in Lithuania was also the first time the training has been conducted in an operational setting. 

The RAF deployed to the country for the NATO mission in April. 

Cover image: An RAF Typhoon and German Air Force Eurofighter flying in formation during a practice interception mission over Lithuania (Picture: MOD).