All : SUCCESSFUL E3-D DEPLOYMENT TO SOUTH ATLANTIC
Submitted by (Juanita Brock) 19.11.2008 (Article Archived on 03.12.2008)
An E3-D aircraft from 8 Squadron RAF Waddington has been taking part in Exercise Lonely Albatross in the South Atlantic Islands.
SUCCESSFUL E3-D DEPLOYMENT TO SOUTH ATLANTIC
An E3-D aircraft from 8 Squadron RAF Waddington has been taking part in Exercise Lonely Albatross in the South Atlantic Islands. The aircraft refuelled at Ascension Island and conducted air to air refuelling on its journey south, before landing at Mount Pleasant Airfield, Falkland Islands, on Sunday 02 November 08 before entering the 8 day exercise phase. The crew had a typical welcome to the Falklands and landed the aircraft in a significant cross wind.
Lonely Albatross is a routine force integration exercise designed to ensure interoperability of assets from the land, maritime and air environments. Various assets from the British Forces were involved.
During the exercise Joint Tactical Information Distribution System links (JTIDS) were successfully tested with both the air wing and maritime assets. The JTIDS is essentially a data link network that ensures all units can see the same information.
The maritime integration was tested with HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 Frigate currently undertaking the Royal Navy Atlantic Patrol Task (South). Lt Cdr (RN) Mike Burke of HQ British Forces South Atlantic Islands said situational awareness was enhanced during the exercise and that working with the RAF’s E3-D and automatic data links enabled the RN to quickly build on the recognised maritime picture.
OC of 1435 Flight (Tornado F3’s) Sqn Ldr Jonny Farrow said: ‘we have successfully tested some high end interoperability skills and conducted practice intercepts. There is no doubt that the crew’s battle space knowledge was enhanced during the exercise, which has been a real force multiplier. My crews always work to the highest levels, but this has been a tremendous opportunity to sharpen their advanced skills.’
Source: Media Section MPC
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