An RAF Rivet Joint has been the first to complete a surveillance journey from NATO’s most southerly point in the Mediterranean to the Barents Sea in the high north, supported by the United States Air Force.
A noteworthy achievement with the aircraft launching from Souda Bay, in Greece, and transiting through multiple NATO partners’ airspace, including its newest member, Finland, up to the Barents Sea, prior to recovering to its home base; RAF Waddington.
The Air and Space Commander, Air Marshal Marshall emphasised the significance of the journey:
This is a landmark moment and demonstrates the UK’s unwavering commitment to NATO.
Air Marshal Marshall
Air and Space Commander
The RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft from 51 Squadron, forms part of the RAF’s Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Force and has the ability to hoover up a huge amount of data which on-board crew analysts can quickly process, exploit and then disseminate high priority information to air and ground units in real time.
The Rivet Joint routinely conducts transits along the borders of individual NATO countries but completing it in one sortie demonstrates a projection of capability that puts the UK front and centre in the defence of NATO airspace alongside our US partners.
Officer Commanding 51 Squadron highlighted how beneficial it is to work closely with NATO allies;
Working directly with NATO allows our crews to practice the tactics, techniques and procedures required to support a large Combined Air Operation.
Officer Commanding 51 Squadron
Highlighting the strength of the enduring alliance through the RAF’s continued interoperability and cooperation in NATO’s air domain, it reaffirms the UK’s relationships with the United States Air Force and our NATO allies – what better way to mark NATO’s 75th year!
