Lossie pilots train in Japan

Fighter jets from RAF Lossiemouth have touched down in Japan to take part in a historymaking training operation.

Crewsfrom theMoray station’s II ( AC) Typhoon squadron arrived at Misawa, in the northern part of Honshu, on Saturday.

Pilots are taking part in the Guardian North 16 joint exercise with the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF).

The operation marks the first time the JASDF has hosted foreign military from a country other than the US.

It is expected to afford pilots from both sides a chance to learn from the other and sharpen skills.

The visiting personnel were greeted by Major General Koji Imaki, who described Guardian North 16 as “an epoch making exercise".

II ( AC) Squadron

“I know that we will learn together”

Wing Commander Roger Elliot was in the first jet to land.

He said: “I’m absolutely positive that all members of my squadron, and the detachment from across the RAF, will have a tremendous experience with the JASDF. I know that we will work together, I know that we will learn together."

F-15 fighters from the Chitose Northern Air Defense Force base at Hokkaido and F-2 fighters from Misawa will stage aerial training sessions alongside the Lossiemouth squadron.

Typhoons will be supported throughout the detachment by RAF C-17 transport aircraft carrying engineering equipment. A Voyager from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire will also take part. The Voyager provided the Moray jets with air-to-air refuelling during a 3,500- mile flight from Malaysia.