British helicopters have arrived in West Africa as the UK’s support to a key French counter-terrorism operation in Mali reaches its next phase. (Image: © Crown Copyright 2013)
Military aviation news

RAF Chinooks supporting French forces in Mali

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed that a deployment of three Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinook helicopters are now operational in Mali supporting French counter-terrorism forces. The helicopters from RAF Odiham in Hampshire will provide logistical support to French combat forces conducting counter-terrorism operations as part of Operation Barkhane. The [read more]

The Red Arrows in formation with an Airbus A400M (Image: Max Thrust Digital)
Military aviation news

MOD set to sell Red Arrows home base

The Ministry of Defence is preparing to sell RAF Scampton, home of The Red Arrows, as part of a plan to cut costs across the defence estate. The Lincolnshire base is earmarked for sale by 2022 along with North Yorkshire air base, RAF Linton-on-Ouse which is currently used as a flight [read more]

Features

70 Years On: The Berlin Airlift

As the Royal Air Force celebrates its centenary we look back at one of the most important times in its history when RAF aircraft took part in the Berlin Airlift. The Berlin Airlift began on the 26th June 1948 as a response to the Soviet Unions blockade of Allied-held West Berlin, [read more]

Lockheed Martin F35 Lighting II
Military aviation news

617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron is reformed for F35

617 squadron,  which was immortalised in the Dambusters film, has been reformed to fly the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) latest front-line aircraft, the F35 Lightning II. Disbanded in 2014, 617 Squadron has primarily been a ground attack and reconnaissance squadron and became a household name when, in 1943, they carried out Operation [read more]

RAF Tristar Aircraft
Military aviation news

US Company buys up ex-RAF Tristars

US Company Tempus Applied Solutions has agreed a deal to purchase six ex-RAF Lockheed L1011 Tristar KC1’s & K1s The ex-RAF tankers, which are currently located at Bruntingthorpe, are 3 x KC1s ex ZD948, 950, 951 and 953 and 2 x K1s ex ZE704 & 905. Four of these aircraft [read more]

RAF T-6C Texan
Military aviation news

First T-6C Texan trainers arrive at RAF Valley

The first two Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainers for the Royal Air Force (RAF) have arrived at RAF Valley today. The aircraft will be used to train future fast-jet pilots under the UK Military Flying Training System (Military Flying Training System) and are supplied and maintained by Affinity Flying Training [read more]

RAF Hawk T2 (Image: Flt Lt Paul Heasman RAF/MOD)
General aviation news

RAF Valley move Hawks to Llanbedr Airfield

The Royal Air Force has confirmed that Hawk T2 aircraft from RAF Valley will operate at Llanbedr Airfield between the 7th and 11th August. The aircraft, from RAF Valley’s 4(R) Squadron, will operate from Llanbedr to avoid noise over the National Eisteddfod of Wales which is being held on Anglesey. A spokesperson [read more]

BAe 146 ZE701 (Image: Mark Harkin/Wikicommons CC.2)
Cardiff Airport News

Theresa May flies into Cardiff Airport

UK Prime Minister Theresa May arrived at Cardiff Airport at around 09:20 this morning on-board an RAF BAe 146 aircraft. Mrs May arrived in Wales to meet with the leaders of the devolved nations. First Ministers from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be attending the event to discuss plans [read more]