Photos British Military Forces

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Stunning images emerge of RAF Typhoons flying over Grand Canyon en-route to Nevada, United States (10/01/2015)

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U.K. 17 SQUADRON ACTIVATES AT EDWARDS AFB FOR F-35B TESTING

17 (Reserve) Squadron has begun operational testing of the UK’s first F-35B, 100 years after the unit was first established.

The squadron, which was first formed in 1915, will be responsible for all the test and evaluation of the UK’s first F-35 Lightning II.

The aircraft, known as BK-1, is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California and will be operated under UK regulations. Personnel from 17 (R) Sqn, which is made up of engineers and pilots from the RAF and Royal Navy, will fly and maintain the jets independently from their US colleagues - an important step towards the UK developing its Joint Strike Fighter capability.

A parade and flypast to mark the centenary and their new role with the F-35 Lightning II was held at Edwards AFB 02.09.2015. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford will attend, along with representatives from some of the UK companies involved in the manufacturing of the F-35.

While testing and evaluation of BK-1 is underway at Edwards Air Force Base, over 2000 miles away at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina, the first aircraft that will be used operationally – BK-3 – has just arrived. Working alongside US Marine Corps colleagues, UK personnel will fly BK-3, which will form part of the UK’s first front-line Lightning II unit, 617 Squadron, operating from RAF Marham and then Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers from 2018.

 

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RAF A400M Atlas in Gibraltar DEC 2014/b]

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STRIKER II DIGITAL HELMET-MOUNTED DISPLAY ON RAF TYPHOON

The BAE Systems Striker II HMD helmet-mounted display (HMD) is based on BAE’s Striker HMD system used in the Typhoon and Gripen fighters.It provides to combat pilot exceptional night vision combined with superior target tracking technology. Delivering breakthrough abilities for night combat, the Striker II brings its high performance digital night vision camera inside the helmet, which helps reduce g-force effects on the pilot’s head and neck to improve comfort, and eliminates the need to manually configure and adjust night vision goggle (NVG) hardware for day-to-night transitions. This next-generation HMD also includes a cutting-edge tracking system that ensures the pilot’s exact head position and the aircraft computer system are continuously in sync, reducing problems common to other HMD.

 

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Exercise Black Eagle in Poland

More than 1300 British soldiers and 100 armoured vehicles, including Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle, from the 3rd UK Division are taking part in Exercise BLACK EAGLE, a British/Polish NATO exercise taking place in western Poland.

Soldiers from The King’s Royal Hussars, the UK’s Lead Armoured Battlegroup operating Challenger 2, are conducting live-firing battlefield scenarios alongside their Polish counterparts with Leopard Main Battle Tanks, whilst 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, with the Warrior, is providing the troops on the ground.

A significant demonstration of the UK’s support to the region and NATO’s Immediate Assurance Measures, Ex BLACK EAGLE also highlights the British Army’s ability to deploy an armoured battlegroup at short notice anywhere in the world in support of the nation’s allies.

 

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More from the previous post...

 

[Bombardier]

Went to war in one of these its an FV432 (minus the red cross)
Mine was an Artillery Command posts for m109 guns.

 

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Went to war in one of these its an FV432 (minus the red cross)
Mine was an Artillery Command posts for m109 guns.

Intresting.. where & when did you serve?..if you don't mind sharing..

 

[Bombardier]

I served in The British Army between 1983-1994
I served in Germany (Paderborn & Dortmund), Northern Ireland, The first Gulf War and 6 months in Canada as a Safety Officer at BATUS, British Army Training Unit Suffield (Alberta).

 

[bdpopeye]

Thanks! I served with the US Navy from 1971 to 1991.

This is a letter from my commanding officer that was delivered to me when I retired from the US Navy. This is standard practice.

Edited for privacy.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL- AIR STATION MIRAMAR
SAN DIEGO, CA 92145-5000 IN REPLY REFER TO:
1800
Ser 400/
AIM * 0 1991

Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department
Naval Air Station Miramar
San Diego, CA 92145-5000

Dear Petty Officer &&&&

As your long and distinguished career draws to a close, I wish to take this
opportunity to formally recognize the tremendous contributions you have made
in the defense of your country. Those of us in the Navy who are frequently
called away from our families and loved ones in the course of a military
career make a very special sacrifice in the interest of freedom. It is with
those thoughts in mind that I commend you on behalf of your countrymen for
twenty years of faithful, steadfast, and loyal service in the United States
Navy.

Your military career began on 25 August 1971 when you enlisted in the United
States Navy at Cincinnati, Ohio.

After completing basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, you attended Aviation Fundamentals"P" School, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, and Aviation Mechanical
Fundamentals "P" School, Naval Air Station Memphis, Tennessee. You went on to
serve admirably on board USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67); USS MIDWAY (CV 41); USS
HANCOCK (CVA 19); Naval Air Station, Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines;
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light 31; and Air Anti-Submarine Squadrons
33 and 41. Your quest for excellence and challenging assignments inspired you
to change your rate to Aviation Life Support Systems Technician (PR) while
serving on board USS AMERICA (CV 66). You later served at Helicopter Combat
Support Squadron 11; Naval Air Facility, Diego Garcia; Aircraft Intermediate
Maintenance Department (AIMD), Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego,
California; and Sea Operational Detachment, Naval Air Station Miramar embarked aboard USS Nimmitz(CVN 68).

In recognition of your outstanding career in the Naval Service, you were
authorized to wear the following individual and unit awards: Navy Unit
Commendation Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal; Navy Battle "E";
Ribbon (two awards); Navy Good Conduct Medal (four awards); Navy Expeditionary
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (two awards); Vietnam Service Medal; South
West Asia Service Medal with Device; Humanitarian Service Medal (two awards);
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three awards); and Navy and Marine Corps
Overseas Ribbon.

On the occasion of your retirement, I extend to you the grateful appreciation
of this command for your many years of loyal service to the United States Navy
and our nation. On behalf of the many officers, enlisted personnel, and
civilian employees who have served with you, I wish you happiness and
continued success in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Commander, U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer
Acting &&&&&&&&

 

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JAN 2015...RAF Typhoon during exercise over Wales

Challenger II rolls in Poland

 

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DEC 2014...British Army in Poland

 

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UK Troops Leaving Afghanistan

Personnel from 904 Expeditionary Air wing and the Joint Force Support Unit based at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan head back to the UK on a Royal Air Force C17 Globemaster aircraft.

Since the closing of Camp Bastion in October UK military personnel have been leaving theatre as Operation Herrick comes to end and Allied Forces hand over the country's security fully to the Afghan National Forces.

 

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Exercise Black Eagle in Poland

More than 1300 British soldiers and 100 armoured vehicles, including Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle, from the 3rd UK Division are taking part in Exercise BLACK EAGLE, a British/Polish NATO exercise taking place in western Poland.

Soldiers from The King’s Royal Hussars, the UK’s Lead Armoured Battlegroup operating Challenger 2, are conducting live-firing battlefield scenarios alongside their Polish counterparts with Leopard Main Battle Tanks, whilst 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, with the Warrior, is providing the troops on the ground.

A significant demonstration of the UK’s support to the region and NATO’s Immediate Assurance Measures, Ex BLACK EAGLE also highlights the British Army’s ability to deploy an armoured battlegroup at short notice anywhere in the world in support of the nation’s allies.

 

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more of...Exercise Black Eagle in Poland

 

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British Army Fusiliers take part in Exercise Prairie Storm, Canada

Soldiers from Zulu Company, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (1RRF), are taking part in Exercise Prairie Storm, at the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada. Over the course of two weeks, they will face tough challenges as they contend with the variable weather and austere conditions of the Alberta prairie in autumn.

 

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ROYAL NAVY personnel of 42 Commando Royal Marines Logistics Company took to Dartmoor recently to learn what it means to be a Royal Marines Commando.During a wet and windy three day exercise, Royal Marines taught their Royal Navy colleagues the basics of fieldcraft and tactical movement in order to strengthen their close working relationship.Shelter construction, section-level tactics and camouflage were all introduced to the students to improve their knowledge of the Royal Marines they work beside and to give them the essential skills required to survive in an operational environment.

Leading Writer Fiona Easton, who works in the Unit finance office, said: “It will be much easier to work alongside the Royal Marines in the field now that I have a better understanding of what they do.”She added: “We were shown how to move while carrying weapons and how to set trip wires. That was my favourite part.”42 Commando Royal Marines are one of three elite battalion-sized units which make up the global punch of 3 Commando Brigade.

The highly trained unit is currently employed worldwide in a range of ship protection duties for the Royal Navy, delivering specialist training teams as required around the globe and standing by to support UK operations.

 

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OCT 2014...British Army Transports Additional Tanks to NATO Exercise in Eastern Europe

The Kings Royal Hussars is the UK’s Lead Armoured Battlegroup operating the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. The Battle-group will total approximately 1300 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 250 other vehicles and will be the UK’s biggest armoured deployment in Eastern Europe since 2008. 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh which is also providing personnel and vehicles to the exercise is the Lead Armoured Infantry Battalion in the British Army. The battalion is equipped with the Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle, enabling it to move swiftly around the battlefield delivering troops to the heart of the battle. Warriors are due to be transported from Tidworth to Marchwood next week and then onward to Poland.

 

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Exercise Prairie Storm 3

Yorkshire Regiment (1 York) Battle group on Ex Prairie Tempest enter the village of Tarmek. This is part of the tactical effect simulation (TES) Phase of Exercise Prairie Storm 3 in The British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) the vast training area near Suffield, Alberta, Canada.

The Battle group is made up of attachments from C Squadron Kings Royal Hussars (KRH), 26 Royal Engineers (26 RA) 8 Armoured Engineer Squadron, Artillery Regiments from 19th, 5th,12th and 39th.

Combat Service Support (CSS) Battle group is made up of 4 Royal Logistic Corp, 4 Battalion Royal Electrical Engineers (4 REME), 4 Mediical Regiment (4 Med Reg) and 174 Provo Company Royal Military Police.

BATUS is the British Army's largest armoured training facility and it can accommodate live-firing and tactical effect simulation (TES) exercises up to battle group level.

 

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 18, 2014) – The British Royal Navy type 23 Duke Class Frigate, HMS Argyll (F231), sails alongside the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during a group sail exercise. Theodore Roosevelt is currently underway conducting training for future deployments.