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RAF F35’s fly first mission over Syria and Iraq
The UK’s newest and most advanced fighter jet, the Lightning F-35B, has completed its first operational mission over Syria and Iraq, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said yesterday.
According to Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, the first F-35B operational sorties were flown on Sunday 16 June in support of Operation Shader, the UK contribution to the Global Coalition’s counter-ISIS mission in Iraq and Syria. The two aircraft conducted a patrol over Syria, and UK F-35s have flown 12 sorties since then.
The UK Permanent Joint Headquarters added yesterday that UK F35s joined US and Israeli F35s for the first time in a joint training exercise to further develop the capabilities of the new aircraft.
Speaking at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the Defence Secretary said: “The F-35s are the most advanced jets our country has ever possessed and will form the backbone of British air defence for decades to come. They have passed every test their training has thrown at them with flying colours and their first real operational mission is a significant step into the future for the UK.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, said: “This first operational mission for the UK’s F-35 Lightning confirms the impressive progress which we have made in introducing this formidable new capability into service. It is testament to the outstanding abilities of our dedicated and highly trained air and ground crew that 617 Squadron has achieved this important milestone so quickly and so effectively.”
According to the MOD, later this year the UK F-35B will conduct operational tests on board the HMS Queen Elizabeth in the US. The MOD said these tests are a vital step to delivering the first Carrier Strike Deployment planned for 2021.
The UK currently owns 17 F-35B aircraft and the MOD has a programme to produce 138 aircraft. The programme has already generated $12.9 billion worth of orders and at peak production will support thousands of British manufacturing and engineering jobs. In September, the Israeli Air Force will participate for the first time in the Combat Warrior exercise hosted by RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.