VAYU on-the-spot report

Participation from RAF, IAF, Finland, Sweden, South Africa, USA and Singapore

Exercise Cobra Warrior is run biannually and is the largest air exercise run by the Royal Air Force’ Number 92 Squadron which is based at RAF Waddington. The exercise is designed to train exercise participants in high intensity large force tactical air war fighting operations. This edition of the exercise took place from the 2-24 March 2023 and saw over 70 aircraft taking part and was controlled by directing staff at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. Exercise Cobra Warrior is the RAF’s capstone tactical training event, allowing air forces from various nations across the globe to work hand-in-hand with their British counterparts on strategy and numerous military objectives. Last year’s exercise saw military from the United States, Italy, Germany and NATO attend. Taking part this year for the fi rst time were contingents from the Finnish, Indian and Royal Saudi Air Forces. Th e Saudis fl ew in six Typhoons from RAF Coningsby and the Indian Air Force brought fi ve Mirage 2000 jets supported in the air-to-air fuelling from RAF Brize Norton.

Also, based at RAF Waddington were the Belgian Air Force F-16s and Finnish Air Force F-18 Hornets. The Finnish participation is part of a wider training activity in support of the UK led Joint Expeditionary Force that is known as JEF Warrior. These fast jets were supported by RAF Voyagers conducting air-to-air Tanking operations, flying from RAF Brize Norton. In addition, UK Joint Helicopter command aircraft was based at RAF Leeming and participated in the exercise. The RAF’s Air Mobility Force also took part in the exercise deploying elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade during an associated ground mission that formed part of the overall exercise scenario. Officer Commanding 92 Squadron, Squadron Leader John McFadden, from the squadron that coordinated this exercise stated, “We are looking forward to delivering Exercise Cobra Warrior 23-1. 92 Sqn have developed a challenging Air-led multi-domain exercise focussed on pitting our NATO, JEF and International partners against a capable peer adversary within a contested degraded and operationally limited threat environment. Over three weeks, we will bring together our capabilities and deliver the full spectrum of Air Operations, including Defensive and Offensive Counter-Air as well as Strike Operations. These will include RAF Regiment Precision Strike Teams, Air Manoeuvre operations to support ground forces, and also developing our Joint Personnel Recovery Capability”. Group Captain Jim Calvert, who was exercise director, stated, “What Cobra Warrior provides us is what we call collective training. What nations and squadrons will do is they will train their crews to be tactical experts on their individual platforms. What an exercise such as Cobra Warrior does is it brings all of those platforms together, both UK and partner-nations. It just allows us to train and integrate together, so that we can prove, and we can test, and adjust and enhance our interoperability.” “It is wonderful once again to welcome our fellow RAF and international colleagues to RAF Waddington to participate in this world class air exercise,” stated Group Captain Mark Lorriman-Hughes, the RAF Waddington Station Commander. “Cobra Warrior provides an invaluable opportunity for international Allies and Partners to train together in developing operational tactics in the air,” he added.

For the RAF one other key aspect of the exercise is that it gives the opportunity to complete the training within the Mission Employment Phase for future RAF Weapons Instructors. The level of training combined with the variety of training partners helps to achieve the required standards within the Weapons School Criteria. On 26 February 2023, an Indian Air Force contingent comprising 145 personnel departed Air Force Station Jamnagar for Waddington Air Force Base of the Royal Air Force in United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, the IAF participated with five Mirage 2000s, two C-17 Globemaster III and an IL-78 mid-air refueller.

Flight Lieutenant Samarth Shukla of the Indian Air Force stated, “We have travelled halfway around the world, including stops in Saudi Arabia and Greece, to reach this place. Exercise Cobra Warrior is a great opportunity for us to learn and to fly with other nations. It has given us the opportunity to learn from other nations, share our experiences and, all in all, improve us. The aim of the exercise is to participate in diverse fighter aircraft engagements and learn from the best practices of various Air Forces When we get back, we will share our experiences and improve the Indian Air Force as a whole.”

Six media persons from India were lucky enough to cover the event. A big thank you to the British High Commission, New Delhi for organising our trip. And ofcourse a special thank you to Sid Bhardwaj, Defence & Security Communications Campaign Manager, FCDO New Delhi who escorted us throughout the media tour- and who had to bear with us for those few days. Hopefully we did not make him too miserable! Once again, thanks all for the logistics, planning and implementation. It was worth it for us!

Pre-sortie and daily briefings

Flight planning room at RAF Waddington

Interactions and joint planning with Royal Saudi Air force and RAF pilots and instructors (in these photos).

The Balakot machines!!

IAF Mirage 2000s at Waddington

Chow time!

Nothing like fresh hot food at all times especially while it was cold, rainy and windy perpetually. IAF personnel (and RAF) seen here all eating together- though they thoroughly enjoyed the wide variety of food, after more than 3 weeks at RAF Waddington, couldn’t but now want some “ghar ka khaana” or home food!

Text and photos: VAYU