Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft from 6 Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, have been welcomed to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on Exercise Agile Oryx.
The Typhoon Squadron has a long history of operating and exercising with the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), dating back to 1919. This visit provides an opportunity to develop Dynamic Force Employment while enhancing the strong relationship with their Jordanian counterparts.
The Squadron have deployed with a small cohort of movements specialist, engineers and pilots supported by C-130 Hercules into the Jordanian fighter base. While deployed they will conduct dissimilar fighter integration alongside the Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16's of 1 and 6 Squadron Royal Jordanian Air Force developing their combined operating procedures and formation flying.
The strength of the RAF and Royal Jordanian Air Force is the sense of shared history and cooperation we engender which informs the ethos that we have. We must continue on a path of shared experience and maintain our strong ties.
Brigadier-General Mohammad Hiyasat
Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force
The commander of the Base, Colonel Osama Al-Sawalaqa, encouraged the participants to make all possible efforts to increase the level of coordination between the two sister squadrons.
Number 6 Squadron RAF enjoys a long-standing relationship with the Royal Jordanian Air Force having served alongside our Jordanian allies and partners during peacetime and on operations over the decades since 1919 when the Squadron deployed to the Middle East. The Squadron was honoured to receive a Royal Standard from King Abdullah I in 1950 and to exchange Flags of Friendship in 1995 marking the importance of this enduring relationship between our nations.
Exercise Agile Oryx continues to strengthen this friendship between our Air Forces through joint training and the demonstration of Dynamic Force Employment with forward basing to Jordan.
Squadron Leader Douglas
Detachment Commander
Exercise Agile Oryx reflects the close relationship between UK and Jordanian Airforces and our enduring determination to work together as allies and proven partners, whether in peacetime or on operations. Being able to fly and train together to develop skills, reinforces bonds of friendship and celebrates our long historical ties.
Wing Commander Mitchell
Air and Naval Attaché to Jordan
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal, a Squadron commander, and later commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, led the efforts to join the two squadrons because he knew that cooperation would benefit both Air Forces. I am delighted to welcome the Sqn to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base continuing this legacy. It’s something we shouldn’t lose and of which we should be proud.
