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RAF personnel participate in European Air Groups Force Protection exercise

Image shows RAF Squadron outside by model of Typhoon aircraft.

Force Protection specialists from the RAF have been put through their paces on a major European Air Group Force Protection exercise in Belgium.

The exercise, known as Exercise Volcanex, aimed to develop and test junior Force Protection specialists in a multinational headquarters. It also helped standardise processes across allies and improve interoperability to build confidence in multinational operations.

Image shows RAF personnel gathered around a table.

This year the Exercise was hosted by Belgium at Camp Roi Albert in Marche-en-Famenne. The UK contingent is made up of 7 Force Protection Wing and Force Protection Intelligence Centre based at RAF Coningsby.

Image shows RAF personnel gathered around a table.

The RAF are world leaders in Air Force Protection and regularly provide training for international partners.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to train and exercise with our allies. Working alongside our Swedish and Dutch colleagues allowed us to develop an understanding of nuanced capabilities. Additionally, RAF personnel were able to test responses to threats, not only to defend NATO and UK interests.

Squadron Leader Hemingfield
RAF Officer on Exercise Volcanex

Image shows RAF personnel working at a table with computer.

The European Air Group is a collection of 7 like-mined air forces that work together in a wide range of disciplines. The organisation originates from a partnership between the Royal Air Force and French Air Force in 1991. Today the member nations are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Image shows RAF personnel working at a table with computer.

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