Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons and personnel, operating in Romania as part of Operation BILOXI, have deployed to Turkiye for a multinational exercise with Turkish, Jordanian, Pakistani and Azerbaijani aircraft. Exercise Anatolian Eagle took place at the Turkish Air Force’s dedicated training facility at the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya, Turkiye. Designed to test the pilot’s capabilities, the exercise saw RAF Typhoons employed in multiple realistic combat scenarios, acting as blue force conducting air operations against simulated adversary aircraft.
“We are very glad to see the RAF during this exercise and happy to see all allied countries here in Konya. The exercise provides an opportunity for us to share our experiences and technologies.” Lieutenant Colonel Turgay Tümer Turkish Air Force Exercise Director
“The successful participation of RAF Typhoons in Exercise Anatolian Eagle is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and I’m incredibly proud of what they have collectively achieved,” Wing Commander Holland Commanding Officer of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing.
The RAF Typhoons flew alongside F-16s from the Turkish, Pakistani and Jordanian Air Forces and SU-25s from the Azerbaijani Air Force as well as Turkish Akinci Comat Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. A team from NATO’s Deployed Air Command and Control Centre flew an E-3A aircraft to provide exercise co-ordination. The support elements from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing enabled this forward deployment of 3 (Fighter) Squadron Typhoons, with engineering, force protection and supply personnel on the ground in Turkiye contributing to the success of the exercise.
On 1 April 2006 Expeditionary Air Wings (EAWs) were formed at nine of the RAF’s Main Operating Bases. Each EAW has its own identity and is led by the Station Commander, supported by his Station management team. The deployable elements of the station structures form the core of each EAW, reinforced by elements of the Air Combat Service Support Units (ACSSUs). Flying and Force Protection force elements are attached to meet the requirements of each operation. EAWs enable the RAF to train as cohesive air power units which are prepared and capable of transitioning quickly from peacetime structures and deploying swiftly on operations in tailored packages.
