The first RAF aircraft has arrived at a Scots airport ahead of a major military training exercise.
Teams are descending on Prestwick International Airport to take part in Exercise Tartan Spirit, which will see the deployment of Air Mobility Force C-130 and A400M aircraft, Enablers and Force Protection from their home at RAF Brize Norton.
The exercise has been "massively upscaled" as it comes against a backdrop of the Afghanistan evacuation.
Training begins on Monday, and will see Prestwick used as a primary relocation for those from RAF Brize Norton, with a secondary 'Deployed Operating Base' established at West Freugh, a former RAF station with very little infrastructure.
The officer commanding XXIV Squadron said: “XXIV Squadron thrives on preparing crews for operational challenges.
#ExTS: The first aircraft has arrived at PIK with the vanguard. An exercise of this magnitude requires weeks of planning and preparation, so putting things in place before the main force arrives tomorrow and the training operations start on Monday is paramount. #AirMobility pic.twitter.com/FiM9jaut9w
— XXIV Squadron RAF (@24SqnRAF) September 25, 2021
"This Ex TARTAN SPIRIT, traditionally a C-130 Operational Conversion course week, has been massively upscaled to involve far wider participation.
"We aim to give another boost to A400M Tactical development and work with our two group partners to practice our agility in establishing and operating from a temporary, functional airfield in an austere location.”
The training comes amid a separate military exercise, Exercise Joint Warrior, which is currently taking place across Scotland.
Exercise Joint Warrior is the largest military exercise in Europe, bringing together the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the British Army, as well as forces from other nations.
It involves 16 warships, 58 aircraft, and more than 3500 Military personnel from 14 different countries.
A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said: “This massive multinational war exercise involves warships, aircraft, marines and troops from UK, NATO and allied forces.”
“The exercise doesn’t only allow participating units to hone their specialist roles within a larger war-style setting – it also helps foster vital links between the UK, NATO and other allied militaries.
“The aim is to provide a complex environment in which the participants can train together, honing tactics and skills in preparation for deployment as a Combined Joint Task Force.”
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