Four Typhoon fighter aircraft, flown by No 2 (AC) Squadron pilots from RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, arrived at Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) Misawa Air Base, in the northern part of the island of Honsh? on 22 October. An RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, England, crewed by No 10 and 101 Squadrons, provided air-to-air refuelling during the non-stop flight from Malaysia.

This marks the first bilateral exercise ever in Japan for the JASDF to host with foreign military other than the US. The Exercise, named GUARDIAN NORTH 16, represents an opportunity for both air forces to learn from each other and develop their skills.

In a formal arrival ceremony (illustrated), Commander of JASDAF Misawa Air Base, Major-General Koji Imaki, greeted the RAF detachment: ‘Welcome to Japan, welcome to Guardian North. We look forward to working side by side with you in this epoch making exercise. Enjoy the long, long history of Northern Japan.’