Exercise Deployed Titan

Words and photographs Mike Freer, additional photography Stuart Freer

In the words of Group Captain Stuart Atha (Commander of 121 Expeditionary Air wing) the ethos behind the Deployed Operational Training exercise (DOTex) was that of "training hard to fight easy". Exercise Deployed Titan was a series of military exercises including Exercise Skylance and exercise Neptune Warrior wich took place across the United Kingdom from 17th to 28th September.The Exercise aimed to train forces in joint operations and involved units from all three services plus invited NATO and allied nations.

The aim of Exercise deployed Titan was to train 121 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) in how to operate from a Deployed Operating Base (DOB) simulated at RAF Fairford. It took place alongside Exercise Skylance wich was designed to prove the Typhoon`s operational capability. Approximately 500 personnel from several RAF units, along with eight Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby were based at RAF Fairford from 3rd to 28th September. The aim wad to simulate operating in austere conditions in a high threat situation. The airfield was defended by a Rapier ground to air missile battery and potential terrorist mortar attacks were dealt with by 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron. The Exercise scenario was based on various parts of the UK split into fictitious nations. The aim of 121 EAW was to deter to aggression of the hibernian state, influencing it to withdraw its military forces from Brigantia. To achieve this, the RAF operated as part of the NATO forces acting under a UN resolution. For the purpose of the exercise, 121 EAW was based in a third country,Albinistan.

121 EAW was formed on 1st April 2006 and is one of the nine such units created at that time. The original 121 EAW was the first formed during June 1944 flying the forerunner of today's Typhoon -the Hawker Typhoon. Based at RAF Coningsby the unit deployed to RAF Fairford (Albinistan) with a mixture of different Squadron aircraft but all crewed by pilots of number 3 (Fighter) Squadron. The high threat scenario included potential air and land attacks plus terrorist mortar and suicide attacks.

While based at RAF Fairford the typhoons were flying twelve sorties per day in the air defence role with a turn around time of two hours between missions. Pilots were very enthusiastic about the Typhoon's performance saying that it exceed all expectations and that the "kill" ratio was exceptionally high. No doubt this type of training will be invaluable in times to come with the Britsh armed forces heavily involved in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The role of RAF Fairford as a Deployed operating Base (DOB) is set to continue until at least the year 2011.

The author wishes to thank Squadron Leader Karl Mahon and his staff for the hospitality shown during our visit.