RAF Police and RAF Regiment personnel have deployed to Ukraine to conduct a bespoke training package of air focused Force Protection measures with the Ukrainian Military.
The training known as Exercise WARRIOR WATCHER 21 is the third deployment to conduct such training and follows on from successful programmes over the last two years.
This training is an integral part of Operation ORBITAL, the enduring UK military operation of support and training to the Ukrainian military. The RAF Personnel have deployed from 8 Force Protection Wing and are drawn from RAF Marham, RAF Leeming, RAF Northolt and RAF Waddington.
"We are very proud to be here for the third consecutive year and continue to deepen our already strong defence relationship. The students have been very keen, and the course has got off to an excellent start."
Squadron Leader Trev Slark-Hollis
Officer Commanding RAF Short Term Training Team
The two week training package is being conducted at Vasylkiv Airbase and the Joint Training Centre of Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National Air Force University and will see the Ukrainian students, drawn from all three services, receive instruction in the protection of airfields and other critical infrastructure in what is known as the Complex Air Ground Environment.
By the end of the course the students will be able to develop better defensive and security planning for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in their key installations and so ensure air operations can continue unhindered.
The exercise is being conducted in two phases; week one is a series of theoretical sessions led by both RAF Police and RAF Regiment trainers; in week two the students will receive conduct practical Air Force Protection planning process based sessions to test their theoretical knowledge whilst applying this to the airfield at Vasylkiv.
"During the two weeks of the exercise, Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel will have had an opportunity to learn the skills needed for airfield Force Protection. We will learn about the ways in which the RAF defend their airfields for us to utilise. We are very grateful to our British partners for the opportunity to receive this training for the third year in a row in Ukraine. We hope our partnership will continue to evolve, and the training opportunities will increase, and our relationships deepen."
Lieutenant Colonel Serhii Maksymen
International Training Commander and Senior Staff Officer