Through mid-October, 415 (Long Range Patrol Force Development) Squadron, Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment and 434 (Operational Test and Evaluation) Squadron; along with multiple supporting elements, deployed to Royal Air Force Lossiemouth to participate in Exercise BOLD QUEST.
Exercise BOLD QUEST is a yearly United States Joint Staff-led technical demonstration and evaluation exercise, focused on allied/ partner C4 intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance and interoperability. Over 25 partner nations participated this year. Coordinating with aircraft from Britain, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, France and the United States, the detachment was able to significantly advance multiple concurrent force development objectives, which will lead to new and improved capabilities for the long range patrol fleet.
From the initial flight into theatre, members faced a demanding schedule. With the exercise only scheduled for six days of flying over a nine-day period, the detachment planned to fly multiple back-to-back events. With an average of eight- to 10-hour flights, this often resulted in extended workdays for all personnel. Members worked hard to plan and coordinate with allied assets to ensure each mission was a success.
Unfortunately, due to an intense extratropical storm (Babet) affecting large parts of Northern Europe, the exercise was suspended three days early – but not before several objectives were fully completed. The detachment’s hard work and dedication resulted in a successful exercise and demonstrated unique opportunities for interoperability with allies and partners alike.
