RAF and United States Air Force aircraft based in the UK have practised dispersing their aircraft and personnel to other UK locations at short notice and continuing to operate without their usual ground support.
Exercise Agile Shield tested the ability of UK and US flying units and support teams to conduct Agile Combat Employment – to leave their main operating base at very short notice and operate from a new location with minimal delay and a reduced footprint of support.
USAF F35A fighter jets based with 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath deployed to RAF Marham to hone both Air Forces’ ability to conduct Agile Combat Employment collaboratively.
A RAF P-8A Poseidon relocated from RAF Lossiemouth in North Scotland to Newquay Airport, while Typhoons left RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth for RAF Cranwell and Leuchars Airfield. Meanwhile, an A400M Atlas transported a Combat Team from the British Army’s 34 Field Squadron – experts in repairing runways – to Prestwick Airport, as well as delivering vital equipment to the Poseidon stationed in Cornwall.
Equally significant were the RAF’s Command and Control elements, known as C2, who moved locations to set up temporary Operations Centres. The C2 contribution was vital to maintaining communications and overall control of the many units involved.
