December 3, 2015 10.54 am This story is over 98 months old

How Lincolnshire will play its part in Syria airstrikes

Syria strikes: UK airstrikes have been launched in Syria for the first time after MPs overwhelmingly backed missions to target Islamic State, and Lincolnshire will play a key role.

UK airstrikes have been launched in Syria for the first time after MPs overwhelmingly backed missions to target Islamic State, and Lincolnshire will play a key role.

Within hours of the decision, on Wednesday, December 2, RAF Tornado jets took off from the Akrotiri air base in Cyprus to strike targets in Syria.

Bombing campaigns may continue for many years to come. For now, many bases in Lincolnshire are playing a part in operations against Islamic State targets in Syria.

Some ten armed Reaper drones, based in Kuwait to provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability, are being piloted remotely by 13 Squadron at RAF Waddington near Lincoln.

A drone control room at RAF Waddington near Lincoln. In 2012 the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology - Mr Philip Dunne MP visited RAF Waddington in order to receive capability briefings and further his knowledge of the RAF's current and future ISTAR capability.

A drone control room at RAF Waddington near Lincoln. In 2012 the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology – Mr Philip Dunne MP visited RAF Waddington in order to receive capability briefings and further his knowledge of the RAF’s current and future ISTAR capability.

As previously reported, drones piloted from the base have played a pivotal role in the UK’s bombing raids against Islamic State in Iraq, successfully targeting and killing British extremists in September.

RAF Typhoon jets. Photo: Geoffrey H Lee/MoD

RAF Typhoon jets. Photo: Geoffrey H Lee/MoD

It has been reported that more than half a dozen Tranche 2 Typhoon jets could be deployed to RAF Akrotiri.

RAF Coningsby Typhoon pilots engineers and crews are prepared for raids over Iraq and Syria from RAF Akrotiri.


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