RAF Passes Major NATO Capability Test

The RAF has passed a major NATO test confirming it remains ready to support the alliance on operations.

More than 600 Royal Air Force personnel from various stations spent a week at RAF Leeming undergoing a "vigorous NATO evaluation", the RAF said in a statement.

Eight Typhoons took part in the evaluation, known as CAPEVAL, which tested the RAF's ability to cope with a number of threats, ranging from Air Policing to "full warfighting".

Chief of the Air Staff,  Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, said: “We have proven our commitment to NATO, demonstrated our ability to protect our airspace, side-by-side with our NATO allies.

“This is what we train for today, and will continue to deliver tomorrow and in the future; as we build the next generation Royal Air Force.”

According to the RAF's website, CAPEVAL is the largest single RAF deployment since the start of Operation Herrick in Iraq in 2003.

Cover image: (Picture: MOD).