The Typhoon aircraft arrived as two trails (4 in each), both support by RAF Voyager Tanker aircraft which provided air to air refuelling for the Typhoons. Multiple re-fuelling brackets were conducted, with the Voyager and Typhoons linking up at 300 mph.
Ex Bersama Lima 16, a Five Powers Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Exercise with @airforcenextgen, @thersaf, @Aus_AirForce & @NZAirForce. pic.twitter.com/kZ1cZ96tmi
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) October 2, 2016
The two trails stopped off at various countries en route, and in total each covered over 7600 miles, showing that the RAF and the Typhoons have true global reach, able to project air power worldwide.
Exercise Bersama Lima 16 is the annual Five Powers Defence Arrangement (FPDA) Exercise, which involves the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The RAF will operate out of Royal Malaysian Air Force(RMAF) Butterworth.
The Exercise provides an opportunity for the five countries to improve integration and interoperability, whilst showing their collective commitment to the FPDA. 38GpPO_Official_20160927_141_129
Wing Commander Mike Sutton, Commanding Officer 1(Fighter) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, said:
“ We are really looking forward to Exercise Bersama Lima and we are really grateful to Malaysia for hosting this exercise. Every day we will be conducting large training missions with all of the air forces. This exercise provides us with a fantastic opportunity to train and improve our integration and effectiveness with all the participating countries”.
The Exercise runs from 4-21 October 2016 and is the first part of Eastern Venture. After Bersama Lima, the RAF Typhoons will then deploy for exercises in Japan and The Republic of Korea.
The RAF Typhoon is a battle-proven, multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, from air policing, to peace support, through to high intensity conflict.
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