Tag: Royal Air Force

Ukraine to receive 17 specialized fire trucks from UK

In order to aid Ukraine in defending against Russia‘s constant missile and drone attacks, the UK will provide 17 specialised fire engines.

The Royal Air Force, Defence Fire and Rescue, and the Welsh Assembly are expected to deliver the Rapid Intervention and Major Foam Vehicles in the upcoming weeks, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The vehicles, according to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, will improve the nation’s capacity to safeguard its infrastructure from the Kremlin’s campaign of missile and drone attacks.

The Ukrainian military fire service has already conducted a week’s training at RAF Wittering to familiarise themselves with the equipment in preparation.

They were delivered from locations around the UK to the Cambridgeshire military base, where personnel are inspecting and preparing them before their onward journey to Ukraine.

Due to arrive in the coming weeks, the urgently-needed equipment will help bolster Ukraine’s ability to respond to damage caused by Russia’s continued use of cruise missiles and one-way attack drones against Ukrainian infrastructure.

Mr Wallace said: ‘These specialist firefighting vehicles will boost Ukraine’s ability to protect its infrastructure from Russia’s campaign of missile and drone attacks and continue our support for Ukraine, for as long as it takes.’

Defence chief fire officer Sim Nex said: ‘The Defence Fire and Rescue family are extremely proud of the specialist support which we have been able to facilitate.

‘We are confident that the equipment provided to date, and associated training, will directly enhance firefighting capability, as we consider further opportunities to support the Ukrainian Military Fire Service moving forward.’

Air Commodore Jamie Thompson, commander of Global Enablement, said: ‘Support to Ukraine, through training and the provision of equipment, remains a priority of RAF Global Enablement.

‘We are proud to work alongside our allies in this effort, supplying specialist equipment and training to assure the safety of the Ukrainian people.’

July 7, 2023
King Charles obtains the Crown of Scotland at lavish Edinburgh coronation

The Scottish Crown has been officially given to King Charles.

At an elaborate coronation ceremony held in Edinburgh this afternoon, he received the Scottish crown jewels.

They are emblems of his power in Scotland and include the Sword of State, sceptre, and the crown that Mary Queen of Scots wore in 1543.

Charles and Camilla watched from the Palace of Holyroodhouse as the legendary Red Arrows also did a ceremonial flypast after the wedding.

Nine Hawk jets from the Royal Air Force’s aerobatic team roared above the Royal Mile in a V formation, streaming red, white and blue colours behind them.

Thousands gathered in the Scottish capital to watch pipe bands march through the city centre before the service at St Giles’ Cathedral.

Scotland’s leading figures, and representatives from the nation’s life gathered for a service of thanksgiving and dedication for the King and Queen.

It was also attended by William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The service came eight weeks after Charles and Camilla were crowned in an ancient ceremony at Westminster Abbey where the King made a pledge to ‘serve’.

The Right Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, delivered the sermon, which took the environment as one of its themes.

King Charles and Queen Camilla heard a stark message for the planet to be safeguarded for future generations and not left ‘baking to a crisp’.

She told the congregation that society will be on the ‘right track’ if we understand that ‘the Heavens and Earth’ are not ‘human commodities or possessions’.

‘Blessed are we, on the right track are we when we understand that our children do not inherit this Earth from us – we have borrowed it from them,’ she said.

‘And it is our duty to return it still singing and surging and bathing, not baking to a crisp.’

Charles spoke extensively before becoming King about the importance of the environment, tackling climate change and protecting wildlife.

He runs his Aston Martin sportscar on sustainable fuel and even recycles his bathwater at Clarence House.

Spectators watched a people’s procession make its way from Edinburgh Castle to the cathedral – a group around 100 strong, reflecting all aspects of Scottish society from the arts and politics, to education, civil society and business, including charities which the King supports as patron.

At its head was Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan IV, regimental mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Protesters and royal fans lined the streets, with republican groups chanting ‘not my King’ countered by others shouting ‘God save the King’.

Participants from the people’s procession sat in the cathedral’s pews as the Moderator said ideals like ‘mercy and peace’ should not be ‘domesticated or downgraded’ but be the ‘fabric of our being’.

She also said that society is on the ‘right track’ if people are ‘brave enough to choose collaboration and trust over fear-filled circling of our wagons’.

‘Sisters and brothers, look around you. We are one global neighbourhood – intricately inter-related and completely co-dependent, woven together, like a tartan,’ she said.

Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, gave a Bible reading from the Old Testament during the service, and Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger carried the Sword of State.

The Rt Rev Foster-Fulton concluded by telling the King and Queen: ‘Your Majesties, you have made it part of your mission to speak alongside creation, advocating for it.

‘As we present the Honours of Scotland to you, we commit ourselves to walking that journey with you.

‘We are all a small part of something so much bigger – this beautiful, sacred creation and everyone and everything in it. Thanks be to God.’

July 6, 2023
Russian aircraft approaching NATO airspace intercepted by RAF Typhoons

Last night, the Royal Air Force (RAF) launched fighter jets to intercept a Russian military plane that was flying dangerously near to NATO airspace.

In the most recent aircraft skirmish, two Sukhoi Su-27 flankers and a Tupolev Tu-134 from the Russian Navy hovered dangerously close to NATO airspace Friday night.

Last night, the British air force posted images to Twitter of two RAF Typhoon warplanes flying over Estonia to meet the Russian aircraft.

‘This evening, RAF Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled to intercept a Russian Navy Tu-134 and 2x Su-27 ‘FLANKER’ Bs flying close to Nato airspace,’ the RAF tweeted.

‘The Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with regional airspace control agencies.’

In one photo, a Typhoon jet can be seen closely following the larger Tu-134 with ‘Baltic Fleet’ written on the side.

The Typhoons were assembled from the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing in Estonia

Similar scenes unfolded last month when RAF Typhoons set off from an Estonian airbase to intercept a Russian Air Force IL-20 ‘Coot’ A spy plane and Su-27 ‘Flanker’ B bomber.

The Typhoons were joined by Swedish Air Force Gripens.

But just a day later, Typhoons were redeployed to intercept one AN12 ‘CUB’ and one AN72 ‘Coaler’ flying south from mainland Russia towards the Kaliningrad Oblast.

They were later re-tasked to meet with ttwo Tupolev Tu-22M ‘Backfires’ and two Su-30 SM Flanker H, also flying south from mainland Russia over the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea.

June 21, 2023
Prince Harry has already return to the United States after brief coronation appearance

Prince Harry made a brief trip back to the UK after the coronation of his father, King Charles III, on Saturday in London.

Shortly after the coronation ritual ended, the Duke of Sussex boarded a commercial flight returning to California, where he lives with his wife and two children, according to the UK’s PA Media news agency.

According to PA Media, British Airways flight attendants confirmed Prince Harry was a passenger on a flight that touched down at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Saturday at about 7:30 p.m. local time (10:30 p.m. ET).

Harry’s appearance at his father’s big day was the first time he had been seen publicly with his family since the release of his explosive memoir “Spare.”

CNN understands that Prince Harry did not receive an invitation to join the family on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the Westminster Abbey service. The King and Queen waved to huge crowds outside the royal residence, joined by “working royals” and their children, among others.

The balcony moment, which featured a slimmed-down flypast by the Royal Air Force, has become a flagship part of royal occasions. Prince Andrew wasn’t present either.

Earlier Saturday, Prince Harry was among the first group of royals to enter Westminster Abbey, arriving alongside his uncles, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew, and two of his cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Harry, wearing a morning suit and medals, sat with Andrew in the third row of the service. Both are non-working royals and did not perform any duties during the ceremony.

He did not join members of his family to ride in an impressive procession back to the palace. Instead, he got into a car alone and departed the abbey shortly after the service had ended.

The King’s youngest son had reportedly returned to London on Friday. His wife, Meghan, stayed behind in the California with their children to celebrate Prince Archie’s fourth birthday.

There was widespread speculation in the build-up to Saturday’s celebrations over whether Harry would have a role in proceedings – and if his return might suggest the family has moved on from the rift that saw the Sussexes step back from their role as senior members of the royal family.

Harry launched a series of incendiary accusations against members of his family in “Spare,” in which he recalled a number of private confrontations between him and other senior royals and detailed his split from the family.

Among the most explosive claims in the autobiography, published January, was Harry’s allegation that his older brother, Prince William, knocked him onto the floor during an argument over Meghan.

CNN royal historian Kate Williams previously described Harry’s appearance at the coronation as a “flying visit.”

“[Prince Harry] is coming for this major event of his father’s coronation but it’s not going to be a family reunion. We’re not going to see lots of big family meet-ups. Certainly, there has been damage done,” she explained.

Williams added that Harry’s presence was a “show of unity” – but the extent of that unity remains to be seen.

May 7, 2023
Over 5,000 members of the armed forces march through Waterloo

In order to participate in the coronation, thousands of soldiers and other military personnel hopped off trains at Waterloo this morning.

This morning, more than 5,000 people rode trains to the capital in what is thought to be the largest military staff transfer on British rails since Sir Winston Churchill’s burial in 1965.

Seven South Western Railway trains, two chartered West Coast Railways trains, and personnel from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, and Commonwealth troops were utilised for the trip.

The soldiers, sailors and aviators arrived to the sound of a special announcement recorded by the King and Queen, which is being played at stations across Britain this weekend.

All of the members of the armed forces will be taking part in the coronation later today(Picture: PA)

They marched through Waterloo station before heading to Westminster(Picture: PA)

The march was a sight to behold for anyone in Westminster this morning(Picture: PA)

It is the largest military group to travel by train since Winston Churchill’s funeral(Picture: PA)

Armed police watched on as the soldiers marched past(Picture: PA)

Troops taking part in the march (Picture: AFP)

Sailors were also among the troops marching through Westminster (Picture: PA)

After leaving Waterloo, they marched over Westminster Bridge to assemble ahead of the coronation.

They headed across the bridge and onto Birdcage Walk.

Coronation of King Charles III latest

The military personnel are leading processions accompanying the King and Queen to and from Westminster Abbey.

Network Rail’s Wessex route director Mark Killick said: ‘We are delighted to have welcomed over 5,000 armed forces personnel to London Waterloo this morning in what is the biggest movement of military personnel by the rail industry since 1965.

‘The coronation of the King and the Queen Consort is of huge national significance and we’re very proud of the role we are playing, not only in helping transport the armed forces but also the many thousands of customers who are travelling by train to London to take part and celebrate this occasion.

‘I would like to thank the many colleagues who are working exceptionally hard to ensure our customers experience smooth and pleasant journeys and I would like to wish customers an enjoyable and memorable coronation weekend.’

South Western Railway managing director Claire Mann said: ‘We are proud to support the armed forces in their ceremonial duties for what will be an unforgettable day for the whole country.

‘I’m very grateful for the hard work and support of all of my colleagues who have made these special trains possible, and the additional services we are providing to Windsor & Eton Riverside for the coronation concert tomorrow.

‘On behalf of all colleagues at South Western Railway, I wish everyone a happy coronation weekend.’

Lieutenant Colonel Belinda Forsythe, deputy chief of staff for the London district, who has overseen the military operation’s logistics, said: ‘The coronation is a momentous occasion and it’s with immense pride that UK and Commonwealth armed forces are taking in the largest military ceremonial operation of its kind for a generation.

‘For the thousands of soldiers, sailors and aviators from the UK and across the Commonwealth to arrive in London together by train before marching off to take part in this historic ceremony was a unique and special moment and my thanks go to all involved in making it happen.’

Later this morning the armed forces will take part in the King’s coronation as he is anointed at Westminster Abbey at lunchtime.

It is the first UK coronation since that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

May 6, 2023