LIFT OFF: HOW THE RAF’S BOMBING MISSION UNFOLDED

1 Armed with Storm Shadow cruise missiles, this RAF Tornado undergoes a visual inspection on the runway prior to take-off. 2 RAF Regiment ground crew perform their final checks as the fighter bomber readies for take-off. 3 The pilot, a Flight Lieutenant, checks his missiles are secure. The black strap is a shoulder holster for his Glock pistol – the weapon of last resort in case he is shot down behind enemy lines. 4 Now inside the cockpit, the pilot signals to his ground crew that he is braced for his mission.