Royal Air Force Typhoons conduct expeditionary combat air operations in Middle East.

RAF Typhoons based in the Eastern Mediterranean conducted Expeditionary Combat air operations from a temporary base in the Middle East as a proof of concept.

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Supported by a minimal presence on the ground to provide support activities such as aircraft fuelling, arming, and engineering; Agile Combat Employment expands the number of bases from which air forces can generate combat sorties (Picture source: RAF)

During early October, the 903 Expeditionary Air Wing Typhoon Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus forward deployed to a forward location in the Middle East from where it conducted an operational mission in support of Operation SHADER to further prove the Agile Combat Employment concept.

Agile Combat Employment is an operational concept of being able to operate from austere air bases in order to disperse and quickly manoeuvre combat capability throughout a theatre. Supported by a minimal presence on the ground to provide support activities such as aircraft fuelling, arming, and engineering; Agile Combat Employment expands the number of bases from which air forces can generate combat sorties.

"Agile Combat Employment is about utilising our assets from RAF Akrotiri under 903 Expeditionary Air Wing to their maximum extent. In this example we have projected our forces, the RAF Typhoon FGR4, to a Forward Operating Base. We have undertaken this deployment and next [time] we will go for longer and perhaps further than this one." said Wing Commander Dutch Holland, Officer Commanding 903 Expeditionary Air Wing.

"Operation BLUE DRAGON successfully demonstrated the UK ability to respond dynamically, flexibly, and rapidly under the Agile Combat Employment concept whilst maintaining our commitment to our coalition partners. This operation is the first such deployment for 903 Expeditionary Air Wing and has enabled them to test how successful the aircraft and supporting personnel were able to operate in a new location and environment. The team have demonstrated the capability of conducting air operations at short notice at a Forward Operating Base and further demonstrates to our Coalition partners and Middle Eastern allies, the UK’s continued commitment to the region."  said Air Commodore Mark Farrell, Air Officer Commanding 83 Expeditionary Air Group