RAF: WHY WE NEED FLIGHT TRAINING DURING LOCKDOWN

MILITARY chiefs at RAF Valley have released a statement explaining why pilots need to carry out their flight training over North Wales during the coronavirus lockdown.

Hawk jets and the propeller driven Texan aircraft are seen regularly in the skies above Anglesey and Gwynedd.

The aircraft are used to train student pilots based at RAF Valley.

The good weather during April meant they were clearly seen and heard and prompted locals to ask politicians why the the Royal Air Force was continuing to carry out flight training during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Arfon MP Hywel Williams asked the Secretary of State for Defence, whether training flights have been conducted from RAF Valley since March 23 - when Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the country to “stay at home” to stop the spread of Covid-19.

He also asked how many overseas student pilots are currently being trained at the Anglesey airbase.

In a written response James Heappey, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, said: “Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 March there was a short pause in flying training to assess the impact of COVID-19.

“Essential flying training at RAF Valley on the Hawk aircraft recommenced on 31 March and on the Texan aircraft on 14 April.

“The delivery of all training will remain under constant review as the situation changes.”

Mr Heappey added there are currently four overseas students receiving flying training at the base.

Group Captain Chris Moon, Station Commander of RAF Valley said the base takes the public health guidance issued by the government very seriously.

He said: “RAF Valley is continuing - even in these unprecedented times - to deliver world class training to student pilots in order to get them to the RAF front line.

Right now, RAF Valley trained pilots are defending the skies of the United Kingdom in Typhoons on quick reaction alert at RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth.

“The Typhoon Force needs more pilots from Valley which is why we must continue to operate.”

“RAF Valley is taking public health guidance extremely seriously, as you would expect.

“Every single aspect of working at RAF Valley has been reviewed and many procedures amended, in order to take into account social distancing and other public health measures.

“We have dramatically reduced the footfall on station - where possible people are working from home - and we have implemented reduced or split shifts across many areas.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of the people of Anglesey and North Wales.”