RAF Chinook and Typhoon jet training over the White Cliffs of Dover — RAF Chinook and Typhoon jet training over the white cliffs of Dover (Picture: RAF).

RAF

RAF Typhoon jets and Chinook helicopter train over white cliffs of Dover

RAF Typhoon jets and a Chinook helicopter have been training over the white cliffs of Dover.

After wowing crowds at the Bournemouth Air Festival, the crews headed to the cliffs to practise targeting manoeuvres.

The Typhoon pilots trained on low-level interception training, working on the many challenges of finding slow targets – such as helicopters and small fixed-wing aircraft.

Typhoon pilots are well prepared in tracking targets at high altitude, providing the RAF's Quick Reaction Alert for UK airspace.

The Typhoon, known as Blackjack, was flown by Flight Lieutenant Adam 'Paddy' O'Hare from 29 Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby.

He said it was "great to fly alongside the Chinook and to be part of this iconic event".

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"These aircraft have been working overseas offering support to NATO and our partners far from the public gaze, so to bring it home and showcase the phenomenal capability is a real privilege."

Meanwhile, the Chinook crew, who usually train in evasion tactics against aggressive fast jets, took advantage of the opportunity to experience such a situation.

Chinooks operate with a number of other aircraft in the congested air and land environments, delivering heavy cargo, conducting troop insertions and extractions and taking Medical Emergency Response Teams to and from the battlefield.

On the exercise over the cliffs, the helicopter was flown by the RAF Chinook Display Team led by Flight Lieutenant Matt 'Schmitty' Smyth, 27 Squadron, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

With both aircraft regularly working with other militaries, familiarity with each other is key to rapid deployment and battlefield effectiveness.

RAF Chinook and Typhoon fast jet training over the White Cliffs of Dover — Both crews recently returned from Bournemouth Air Show, with both aircraft having been deployed in Eastern Europe as part of the UK's commitment to NATO (Picture: RAF).

Both aircraft have recently been operating in Eastern Europe as part of NATO's commitment, with Chinooks deployed in the Baltic States – supporting NATO's enhanced Forward Presence.

Typhoons were conducting armed sorties as part of NATO's enhanced Vigilance Activity, helping to secure the NATO's eastern border and deter Russian aggression.

They have also deployed across Europe from Estonia, Finland and Sweden down to the Mediterranean to train and integrate with our allies.

Air Vice-Marshal Robinson, Air Officer Commanding 11 Group, said with RAF aircraft working closely with each other and NATO allies, the training brings together both capabilities.

"RAF aircraft are working closely together in partnership with our allies, continuing to demonstrate our commitment to NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force partners," he said.

"This training over the white cliffs brings together the utility of the Chinook, supporting the enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltics, with the capability of the Typhoon, conducting armed assurance patrols on NATO's eastern flank."