A RAF Sentinel surveillance aircraft has returned back to the UK after nearly four months on operations to return security and stability to Mali. The Sentinel R1 touched down at its home base at RAF Waddington to be welcomed by senior officers who paid... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link
Defence Secretary pays tribute to personnel tackling insurgents in West
Africa. Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond has paid tribute
to the Armed Forces personnel helping to tackle insurgents in West
Africa after a visit to Senegal and Mali. Mr Hammond was in the region
to witness first hand the work of... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link
A RAF C17 aircraft has flown troops from Ghana to Bamako as part of the UK’s support for the international intervention in Mali. The move was in response to a Ghanaian request. Peter Jones, British High Commissioner to Ghana, said: "This is a moment where the international community is coming together for a shared challenge...See full details
RAF C-17 operations in support of the French
military in Mali are continuing from Evreux Airbase near Paris. Since
the short notice commencement of Op Newcombe, C-17 Globemaster aircraft
operated by 99 Sqn have been flying 5000 mile round trip missions on a
near daily basis. Wg Cdr Simon Bellamy said: "I genuinely think the
French have warmed to us and enjoyed having us around...See full details
Downing Street has announced that 350 UK military personnel are to
deploy to Mali and West Africa to support French forces. Also offered
were: the continued deployment of the RAF C17 and Sentinel aircraft;
allowing the US to operate air refuelling platforms from the UK...The UK
also offered to set up a combined joint logistics HQ in Mali but the
French have declined this offer...More information »
It is reported the Government is to discuss offering more assistance to
French forces fighting Islamist rebels in Mali. The RAF is already
giving logistical support with two C-17 aircraft assisting but it is
thought David Cameron is likely to offer more assistance with further
transport and surveillance. The MoD says there are no plans to offer
ground forces...More information »
Two RAF C17 aircraft from 99 Sqn have flown to France in support of the
French military efforts in Mali. The aircraft will be used to transport
French hardware and equipment to Barnako in the West African state of
Mali where the French are in support of the Malian government in
attempting to contain Islamic rebels. David Cameron says no UK Service
personnel will be used on the ground in Mali...More information »
The Prime Minister has announced that the MoD is to order an additional C-17 Globemaster, taking the number of aircraft in the RAF's fleet to eight.Speaking in the House of Commons, David Cameron said: "Because the MoD's finances are better run and managed and because we have found savings, we will be able to purchase an additional C-17. This aircraft is becoming an absolutely brilliant workhorse for the RAF...More information »
