Personnel from 18 (Bomber) Squadron have deployed to the Netherlands for Exercise Greyhound Titan, a key training activity designed to strengthen air manoeuvre integration, enhance multinational interoperability and validate future operational training concepts.
Operating from Gilze-Rijen Air Base, the deployment supported the recent Exercise Rhino Titan 26, bringing together the RAF, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team (16X) and the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (RNLASF) in a demonstration of NATO cooperation and readiness.
The exercise saw 18 (B) Squadron and supporting personnel from RAF Odiham deploy to the Netherlands, from where they conducted daily flying operations into Germany in support of Rhino Titan training serials at Sennelager. Activities included personnel recovery, medical evacuation, uncrewed aircraft systems integration, air assault missions and aviation support to ground forces.
A key objective of Greyhound Titan was to strengthen the integration between 18 (B) Squadron and 16X, ensuring aviation assets remain fully embedded within the planning and execution of air manoeuvre operations.
"This exercise put into practice everything 18 (B) Sqn had been building up to this year. Deploying forward from The Netherlands to Germany daily, integrated and realistic training with 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team saw us conducting personnel recovery, UAS, medevac and air assault missions.
Simultaneously, we got to test our skills as aviators alongside the Dutch Chinook Squadron, 298 Squadron. It was great to enhance relationships and trust with a fellow Chinook squadron and coalition partner."
Flight Lieutenant Sam, a Chinook pilot from 18 (B) Squadron
The deployment also provided a significant opportunity to develop interoperability with the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force. Operating from Gilze-Rijen Air Base enabled personnel to gain valuable experience working from a NATO partner location while fostering closer relationships with Dutch counterparts.
Alongside flying operations, the exercise assessed the use of specially prepared dust bowls as a means of supporting environmental qualification and desert operations training. The evaluation will help inform future methods of maintaining readiness for operations in austere and challenging environments.
"The exercise provided a valuable opportunity to further integrate aviation planning and liaison functions within the 16X construct, reinforcing the importance of early aviation engagement across the Brigade planning cycle. Embedding aviation representation within the supported headquarters significantly enhanced situational awareness, understanding of commander's intent and the ability to align rotary-wing capabilities with emerging operational requirements."
Group Captain Harris
Chief Force Coordinator
Throughout the exercise, close collaboration between Brigade, Battlegroup and Aviation staffs demonstrated the benefits of routine aviation participation in planning, synchronisation and targeting activities. The activity also highlighted opportunities to further develop Squadron-level understanding of land planning processes, enabling more effective integration during future collective training and operations.
"The exercise successfully validated liaison arrangements, strengthened relationships across the air-land community and identified several areas for future development, particularly in communications, SME reach-back and aviation support planning. Overall, the activity demonstrated the value that embedded aviation expertise brings to a manoeuvre headquarters and provided a strong foundation for continued development ahead of future training and operational commitments.
Exercise Greyhound Titan 26 showcased the RAF's ability to integrate seamlessly with Army and allied partners, strengthening operational effectiveness while reinforcing the enduring value of multinational cooperation. By training alongside 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, 3 PARA and the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force, 18 (B) Squadron continued to develop the skills, relationships and readiness required to deliver air mobility and air manoeuvre effects wherever they are needed.
