Page 13 - issue17.05.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday,May 17, 2019 P13

News

British forces In Brief

bolster Baltic

UK Defence chief’s

pledge to Nato with Harry’s Games

Typhoon and Apache hit The Hague
THE DUKE of Sussex has
launched the 2020 Invictus Games
Staff Reporter at The Hague.
annual Exercise Spring Storm Prince Harry took a break from
ARMED FORCES Minister Mark brings together Army Air Corps parenting to travel to the Netherlands
Lancaster pledged UK air power Wildcat and Apache aircraft with to start the one-year countdown for
to the defence of Nato’s eastern our Typhoons to support Estonian the Games for wounded Armed Forces
borders once more as he flew into and UK troops on the ground. personnel and veterans.
Amari air base in Estonia where “The reinforced Nato He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that
RAF Typhoons are policing the interoperability will improve many more wounded, injured and sick
skies over the Baltic. our collective capabilities. HMS Servicemen and women will have the
Speaking to Air Force personnel Westminster will be joining the opportunity to continue the journey to
deployed with 121 Expeditionary air and land forces in Estonia their recovery.
Air Wing at the base Mr Lancaster underlining the truly joint “Our mental fitness is the key
said: “The RAF’s commitment nature of UK and Nato because without we fail to operate
to Nato’s enhanced air policing activities in the region.” efficiently, but with it your physical
continues here in Estonia. Four Typhoons performance and potential are
“The deployment of our UK from XI(F) Squadron exponentially improved and we have
Typhoons is a clear demonstration took over Quick witnessed this over and over again.”
of our commitment to the region Reaction Alert duties The Duke launched the first
and our Nato allies.” at Amari this month, Invictus Games in London in 2014,
The visit coincides with the succeeding the having been inspired by the Warrior
country’s largest annual military German Air Force. Games, a competition for wounded
exercise, Spring Storm which is RAF crews hope Service personnel organised by the US
being supported by UK Apache and to train alongside the Department of Defense.
wildcat helicopters. British battlegroup The second Invictus Games were
The Army Air Corps 663 during the exercise held in Orlando, Florida in 2016,
Squadron flew out to Estonia in which is also being COMMITMENT: Armed Forces Toronto was the host city in 2017 and
April, joining more than 1000 supported by Scandinavian Minister Mark Lancaster talks to Sydney in 2018.
British troops already stationed air forces. members of 121 EAW at Amari air At the 2020 launch the new dad
there as part of Nato’s enhanced It is the third time UK Typhoons base. Inset, Apaches in Estonia. was presented with an Invictus Games
forward presence in the country. have operated from Amari since Babygro for his son Archie Harrison by
Mr Lancaster added: “The taking on the role in 2014. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

A RECORD-BREAKING
Harrier XV741 which won the
Transatlantic Air Race with a
time of just over six hours in
1969 has gone on public display
after a seven-year restoration
programme.
Thousands of spectators
turned out to watch pilot Sqn
Ldr Tom Lecky-Thompson
(pictured left) perform a
vertical take off from
St Pancras at the start
of its record breaking
transatlantic flight.
The jump jet is on
show at the Brooklands
Museum, next to the
iconic Vickers Vimy which
crossed the Atlantic for the
first time in 1919.