Global operations

Ongoing

The RAF are committed to protecting the UK and ally territories against cyberspace attacks, safeguarding military IT networks from intrusions, and ensuring communications are secure.

Ongoing

RAF’s ongoing commitment to protecting the skies of the UK and allies air space.

Ongoing

The RAF provide aircraft, specialist equipment, and specialist knowledge to support rescue services in emergencies.

Ongoing

RAF provide air defence and transport support to operations in the South Atlantic, mostly from Ministry of Defence base Mount Pleasant Complex.

Ongoing

RAF aircraft contribute to ongoing NATO Air Operations in NATO Air space, as part of the UK’s commitment to the NATO Alliance.

2014 - ongoing

Operation SHADER is the RAF's ongoing commitment to combating Daesh in Iraq and Eastern Syria, as part of the international coalition against terrorism.

 2020 - ongoing

The RAF work alongside the NHS and Government departments against COVID-19, to support workers, provide specialist equipment, skills and knowledge, and deliver supplies across the UK.

2021 - ongoing

UK Space Command is the RAF’s ongoing commitment to making space safe, secure and sustainable for all generations, by protecting the UK and allies space domain against cyberspace attacks.

Quarterly

Exercise Point Blank is run by the United States Air Force to strengthen skills required to conduct high end war fighting operation. Other NATO partner nations, like the Dutch, are also invited to participate.

Annually

The RAF deploy Typhoons as part of the NATO Air Enhanced Policing Missions that the UK participates in every year, to provide Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) against aircraft threats. Operation AZOTIZE is over the Baltic region, and Operation BILOXI is over the Black Sea region.

Annually

A series of regular deployment with the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) to build interoperability and develop capabilities. The RAF shares two joint nation squadrons with Qatar: 11 Squadron and 12 Squadron.

Annually

Exercise Virtual Flag sees the RAF and US partners train in Virtual Battlefield scenarios, at Kirtland Air Force Base, in New Mexico. Participants have been training together in a full spectrum of air, land, surface, space, and cyber warfighting regularly since 2009.

Annually

Exercise Austral Endurance is an annual exercise that sees RAF personnel support the British Antarctic Survey, by providing airdrop resupply missions to their Antarctic Bases.

Annually

The RAF deploy to Australia’s Northern Territory to participate in the largest annual exercise run by the Royal Australian Air Force, developing skills such as Air-to-Air refuelling and interoperability.

Annually

Exercise Red Flag is a series of exercises run by the United States Air Force in Alaska. It is the largest high intensity air war fighting exercise in the world, with RAF aircraft training alongside the Australian Royal Air Force.

Annually

Exercise Magic Carpet is a two-week flying programme in the Middle East that strengthens the UK's partnership with the Omani Air Force. RAF Typhoons and Voyagers deploy on multiple air-to-ground and air-to-air missions to practice scenarios and develop essential skills.

Biannual

This is the largest exercise run by the RAF, seeing the culmination of various Qualified Weapons Instructor courses and training in a High intensity simulated war fighting scenario with NATO Allies and partner nations.

2023

The RAF trains with the our Commonwealth allies in Malaysia, to strengthen the interoperability and coordination of the five military powers (the UK, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore). The RAF will next participate in 2023.

2023

The RAF in Europe’s largest air power exercise building collective security and defence skills, with aircraft and troops from the UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, France, 
Germany, Netherlands, USA, and NATO partners.