Increased activity part of exercise, RAF says

Officials at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire have moved to reassure residents that increased activity at the base is part of "a long-planned" training exercise.

In a post on social media, the RAF said Exercise Agile Warrior (EAW) was due to get under way this week.

It meant increased vehicle movements and operational activity across the station and surrounding area, including involvement from emergency services.

"Please be assured that this activity is in direct support of EAW and forms part of essential training to ensure the RAF remains ready to protect the UK," a spokesperson said.

"Thank you to our local community for your continued support and understanding," they added.

RAF Coningsby is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert stations, with Typhoon combat aircraft, pilots and support personnel on standby 24 hours a day.

As part of the training exercise, personnel would practise rapid dispersal, improvised command-and-control arrangements, base defence, sustainment and recovery activities to ensure the RAF remained ready to "fight tonight" if required.

The announcement comes after the UK agreed to a US request to use British military bases for "defensive" strikes on Iranian missile sites.

European allies are also sending warships and anti-drone defences to Cyprus after a British air base was hit at the weekend.

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