Global operations
The RAF is continuously engaged in a wide-range of operations and training exercises around the world and in space with our partners and allies.
Click on round markers for operation info.
COVID Aviation Task Force
UK
April 2020 - ongoing
Providing helicopters for the NHS and Government departments for the rapid transfer of COVID-19 patients, healthcare workers and supplies anywhere in the UK.
Operation SHADER
Iraq and Syria
2014 - ongoing
Continuing to combat Daesh in Iraq and eastern Syria as part of the international coalition against the terrorist movement.
Quick Reaction Alert (QRA)
UK
Ongoing
Protecting the skies of the United Kingdom 24/7/365.
Operation NEWCOMBE
Mali
2018 - ongoing
Supporting French led counter-insurgency operations in West Africa.
Austral Endurance
Antarctica
February 2020
Precision dropping essential supplies from a 47 Squadron Hercules for the British Antarctic Survey's forward base at Sky Blu.
Carbonite-2 satellite
SPACE
A low earth orbit satellite delivering high-quality imagery and 3D video footage from space.
Operation AZOTIZE
Lithuania
May - August 2020
Providing quick reaction alert (QRA) in the skies of Lithuania during a routine NATO Baltic Air Policing deployment.
Exercise Lightning Dawn
Cyprus
May 2019
The first overseas exercise for the new Lightning aircraft for the RAF and Royal Navy to gain vital experience in maintaining and flying the aircraft in an unfamiliar environment.
NATO's Air Policing Mission
Iceland
November to December 2019
RAF Typhoons ready to respond to unidentified aircraft flying towards Icelandic airspace as part of NATO’s Air Policing Mission.
Operation RUMAN
Caribbean
September to October 2017
Delivering vital aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, as part of the UK's biggest military and civilian operation since 2011.
Exercise Bersama Lima
Malaysia
October 2019
Participating in the annual Five Powers Defence Arrangements exercise with our Commonwealth allies: Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Short Term Training Team
Nigeria
December 2019
The RAF Regiment and RAF Police training the Nigerian Air Force on airfield defence and security and other specialist skills.
Operation TRENTON
South Sudan
July to November 2018
RAF medics running a field hospital for UN military personnel and civilian staff as part of the UN’s Mission in South Sudan.
Exercise Point Blank
North Sea
May 2020
Joint training exercise with the United States Air Force to share and practice tactics and procedures, involving more than 40 aircraft.
Exercise Red Flag
Nevada, USA
February 2020
Challenging war fighting training with the US Armed Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Exercise Arctic Challenge
Sweden
May to June 2019
Training alongside eight other nations in one of Europe’s largest air power exercises, with 140 aircraft and 4,000 troops.
British Forces South Atlantic Islands
Falklands, South Sandwich Islands, and South Georgia
1982 - ongoing
Providing air-defence and transport operations in the South Atlantic from RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands.
Operation TORAL
Afghanistan
2019
Supporting the ongoing NATO training mission in Afghanistan.
Exercise Magic Carpet
Oman
September 2019
Building enduring cooperation between with the Omani Airforce over a two-week, joint exercise.
Operation BILOXI
Romania
April to August 2018
RAF Typhoons scrambling to respond to Russian aircraft travelling towards Romanian airspace as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission.
COVID Aviation Task Force
UK
April 2020 - ongoing
Providing helicopters for the NHS and Government departments for the rapid transfer of COVID-19 patients, healthcare workers and supplies anywhere in the UK.
Operation SHADER
Iraq and Syria
2014 - ongoing
Continuing to combat Daesh in Iraq and eastern Syria as part of the international coalition against the terrorist movement.
Quick Reaction Alert (QRA)
UK
Ongoing
Protecting the skies of the United Kingdom 24/7/365.
Operation NEWCOMBE
Mali
2018 - ongoing
Supporting French led counter-insurgency operations in West Africa.
Austral Endurance
Antarctica
February 2020
Precision dropping essential supplies from a 47 Squadron Hercules for the British Antarctic Survey's forward base at Sky Blu.
Carbonite-2 satellite
SPACE
A low earth orbit satellite delivering high-quality imagery and 3D video footage from space.
Operation AZOTIZE
Lithuania
May - August 2020
Providing quick reaction alert (QRA) in the skies of Lithuania during a routine NATO Baltic Air Policing deployment.
Exercise Lightning Dawn
Cyprus
May 2019
The first overseas exercise for the new Lightning aircraft for the RAF and Royal Navy to gain vital experience in maintaining and flying the aircraft in an unfamiliar environment.
NATO's Air Policing Mission
Iceland
November to December 2019
RAF Typhoons ready to respond to unidentified aircraft flying towards Icelandic airspace as part of NATO’s Air Policing Mission.
Operation RUMAN
Caribbean
September to October 2017
Delivering vital aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, as part of the UK's biggest military and civilian operation since 2011.
Exercise Bersama Lima
Malaysia
October 2019
Participating in the annual Five Powers Defence Arrangements exercise with our Commonwealth allies: Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Short Term Training Team
Nigeria
December 2019
The RAF Regiment and RAF Police training the Nigerian Air Force on airfield defence and security and other specialist skills.
Operation TRENTON
South Sudan
July to November 2018
RAF medics running a field hospital for UN military personnel and civilian staff as part of the UN’s Mission in South Sudan.
Exercise Point Blank
North Sea
May 2020
Joint training exercise with the United States Air Force to share and practice tactics and procedures, involving more than 40 aircraft.
Exercise Red Flag
Nevada, USA
February 2020
Challenging war fighting training with the US Armed Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Exercise Arctic Challenge
Sweden
May to June 2019
Training alongside eight other nations in one of Europe’s largest air power exercises, with 140 aircraft and 4,000 troops.
British Forces South Atlantic Islands
Falklands, South Sandwich Islands, and South Georgia
1982 - ongoing
Providing air-defence and transport operations in the South Atlantic from RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands.
Operation TORAL
Afghanistan
2019
Supporting the ongoing NATO training mission in Afghanistan.
Exercise Magic Carpet
Oman
September 2019
Building enduring cooperation between with the Omani Airforce over a two-week, joint exercise.
Operation BILOXI
Romania
April to August 2018
RAF Typhoons scrambling to respond to Russian aircraft travelling towards Romanian airspace as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission.
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