RAF pilots face Japanese air force in combat drills

British fighter planes took on Japanese aircraft for the first time since the Second World War in aerial combat drills at Misawa air base yesterday.

It is the first time that Japan’s air force has trained at home with a foreign power other than the US.

Four RAF Typhoons faced Japanese F-15s and Mitsubishi F-2s in an exercise dubbed Guardian North 16.

“We will learn from each other and ultimately we will make friendships that will tie us together more closely in the future,” RAF Lt Col Roger Elliot told Japanese personnel.