The first action of the year for many UK enthusiasts was at RAF Waddington in February, when French Mirage 2000s and Royal Navy Sea Harriers arrived at the base for a two-week ACMI exercise.

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One of a number of deployments to the base to occur each year to make use of the North Sea ACMI range, the aircraft will both play the role of red (attacking) and blue (defending) teams, and pit themselves against the ‘enemy’ to gain invaluable air-to-air combat training experience against a number of adversaries.

Other aircraft to participate in the exercise at various stages of this year include F-16s and F-18s from Belgium, Spain and Switzerland respectively (for exercise NOMAD). The RAF often deploy aircraft from other stations to make use of the excellent debrief facilities, and both GR.4 and F.3 Tornados have been using the range this year, as well as a deployment earlier in the year from 20 Sqn Harrier GR.7s.

Daniel

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