UK Ministry of Defence, RAF Lossiemouth has been playing host to Tornado aircraft and personnel from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) as part of a joint military exercise, Exercise Saudi Green Flag.
The exercise is the second half of a squadron exchange, which began last year when RAF personnel and aircraft visited Saudi Arabia for Exercise Lone Frame. The flying programme included between four and six Tornado GR4 aircraft from 617 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth and eight Tornado Interdictor Strike aircraft from 75 Squadron Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) who are based at Dhahran Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Over 200 RSAF personnel deployed to RAF Lossiemouth, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Qdairi.
Officer Commanding 617 Squadron, Wing Commander Rocky Rochelle, explained the significance of this latest exchange:
“This is the first time the RAF has hosted the RSAF Tornado Interdictor Strike aircraft,” he said. “It has been a great privilege hosting them and we have really enjoyed flying with them on the various different exercise missions. Both sides have learned a great deal from the experience.”
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A GR4 from 617 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth flies alongside a Tornado Interdictor Strike aircraft from 75 Squadron Royal Saudi Air Force
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In addition to gaining access to the UK Low Flying areas the Saudi jets were able to make use of the Tain and the Wiley Sike Air Weapon Ranges as well as the Electronic Warfare Tactical Range at Spadeadam.
Group Captain John Fynes, the RAF officer in charge of the exercise, said:
“This is a good opportunity to exchange ideas and gain experience operating with another nation and to reinforce the excellent service to service relationship we have with the Saudi Arabian Armed forces and to further strengthen our defence relationship with them.
“Exercise Saudi Green Flag 07 is the second part of a squadron exchange exercise, the first leg of which allowed us to send aircraft and crews to practice and gain experience in flying in the desert, directly supporting our ability to conduct operations in the Middle East and Central Asia.”
In excess of 65 sorties were flown between the two squadrons. During the second week they were joined by Typhoon aircraft from 3(F) Squadron, RAF Coningsby, as well as Tornado F3s, who are currently based at RAF Kinloss. The RSAF were cleared to use the UK Military Low Flying System, which permitted them to fly at heights as low as 250 feet above ground level.
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A GR4 from 617 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth flies over the Moray Firth alongside a Tornado Interdictor Strike aircraft from 75 Squadron Royal Saudi Air Force
[Picture: Cpl Graham Stewart] More Military Pictures
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Whilst the RSAF are well practised at low level flying in their own country they were carefully briefed on the need to minimise any disturbance to the public whilst carrying out their low flying training. The fact that there has been no increase in noise complaints to the base is testament to the professionalism of the RSAF crews.
As part of the exercise RAF Lossiemouth also hosted a visit by His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Minister of Defence and Aviation, His Highness Lieutenant General Abdul Rahman bin Fahad Al-Faisal and the UK’s Minister for Armed Forces, The Right Honourable Bob Ainsworth MP. Mr Ainsworth was impressed with what he saw:
“I was extremely pleased with the day overall and the efforts made by RAF Lossiemouth in providing the excellent support for this visit and the exercise as a whole,” he explained. “I have spoken to His Royal Highness, who has expressed his delight in the success of this detachment.”
The visit concluded with a series of briefings on the various missions already flown and meetings with personnel from both 617 and 75 Squadron. The party were hosted for lunch in the Officers' Mess before a visit to the Thales Simulator and a flypast by RAF and RSAF Tornados, along with RAF Typhoons.
