On Friday morning, a US Air Force jet on a “special air mission” was observed above the coast of England (April 15).
After taking off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA, and landing at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands, the Boeing C-40B was seen flying eastwards above Tendring at a height of 31,000 feet.
The C-40B, designed as a “office in the sky,” is used by the US Air Force to transport government and top military leaders throughout the world. It is purportedly based on the commercial Boeing 737-700 business aircraft.
Dubbed Ramstein Alloy, the exercise saw air force personnel carry out combat training, air-to-air refuelling and escort of an aircraft suffering loss of communication.
Along with the Finnish and Swedish air forces, crews and aircraft from Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Spain, and Turkey participated.
Lieutenant Colonel Ru Streatfeild, who leads NATO’s battlegroup in Estonia, said British troops were “buzzing” and “very delighted” to be assisting in the reinforcement of the country’s eastern border with Russia.
“This is not something that people like. Soldiers, on the other hand, desire to execute their duty. They want to put their skills to the test. This is why they join the Army.”
He went on to say that the soldiers were ecstatic to be in Estonia.
Lieutenant Colonel Streatfeild went on, saying: “It is a tremendous honour. It is, nevertheless, a huge duty.”
Approximately 2,000 NATO troops are now stationed in Estonia, including the Royal Danish Army Viking Company and the French 7th Alpine Hunter Battalion.
Estonian officials called on NATO member nations on Wednesday to quadruple the number of soldiers stationed in the country to discourage Russia from moving deeper into Europe.
Lance Corporal Rhydian Stephens, from Ammanford in Carmarthenshire, is a B-company medic in the Royal Welsh.
“We learned about the war when we were out performing training exercises in Germany,” he explained, “and obviously everyone became enthusiastic.” That’s why we joined the army.
“We enlisted in the army to aid.” But for the time being, we’re just keeping an eye on what’s going on in the news and focusing on what we need to accomplish here in Estonia first.”
“I am pleased to be here,” said Wakefield gunner Joe Watson, 19. I believe that many Estonians are grateful for the presence of the British Army, particularly the armoured forces.
“And it makes you very pleased to be in this position.” I have a tiny family, and they are handling it admirably. My father is definitely pleased. To be truthful, they are all extremely proud.”
