United Kingdom Air Force (RAF – Royal Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft from the airport Bryce NortonIn the UK, the 23rd began an RAF deployment for Exercise Guardian Mobility, making it the longest mission ever for this type of aircraft.Exercise Mobility Guardian 23)
Atlas left Bryce Norton last Monday, July 3, and flew non-stop for 22 hours to the North American island of Guam in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean.
For the long haul, the big plane refueled three times in flight, once over the Atlantic, once over Alaska and finally over the Pacific Ocean. During the flight, the trajectory took the Atlas closer to the North Pole, over the Arctic ice, than any previous flight of this type.
The first refueling was carried out by an RAF Voyager (Airbus A330MRTT) departing from England. The second and third refuelings were carried out by a second Voyager operating from US Air Force Base Eilson Air Force Base in Alaska.
“Exercise Mobility Guardian is an excellent training opportunity for the Air Mobility Force; This allows the RAF to demonstrate its speed, range and effectiveness, supported by Air Mobility Force assets, and strengthens our ability to rapidly conduct global air operations. The RAF A400M Atlas’ non-stop flight from Bryce Norton to Guam is a good example of our ability to plan airpower. Ability to act immediately.”said Air Commodore Lyle, Commander of the RAF Air Mobility Squadron.
Flight Lieutenant York of the Voyager training squadron, in addition to being a strategic demonstration of the UK’s commitment to operating in the region, in the group’s view, “This is a challenging and rewarding category for all, as it allows for the RAF Air Mobility Fleet’s long-range program. The planning is significant, as well as the benefits of long-range strategic aerial refueling exercises with another type of large aircraft carried out from forward-operated airfields..
Upon arrival in Guam, Atlas will join RAF Voyager, the Tactical Medical Wing and other support personnel from across the RAF. Exercise Mobility GuardianIt includes aircraft and personnel from the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Japan and New Zealand.
As explained by the RAF, the training area stretches from northern Australia to Japan and across the Pacific to Hawaii, making it the most recent example of the importance the United Kingdom has attached to the region.
The objective of the exercise is for the countries involved to develop their capabilities and understanding of interoperability, providing air power if needed and to overcome the concept of ‘tyranny of distance’.
During the exercise, it is planned that aircraft will be sent to and from Japan, as such RAF operations demonstrate the UK’s commitment to the Hiroshima Agreement recently signed between the UK and Japan. The agreement emphasizes that the security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are indivisible.
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