RAF Wittering warns residents of night time flying missions next week

RAF Wittering has sent a warning to residents about night time flying missions that will be taking place around the base next week.
By Stephen Briggs
Published 17th Mar 2022, 10:35 BST
A Royal Air Force C-17 aircraft at RAF Brize Norton is refuelled before delivering humanitarian aid to Cyprus, for forwarding to Northern Iraq in support of Operation Shader. RAF C-17 aircraft with UK Aid destined for Northern Iraq left RAF Brize Norton and was flown to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where it would be put onto the RAF Hercules C-130J aircraft and delivered into Iraq. RAF C-130 aircraft have helped deliver much-needed military equipment to Iraq to assist those in the north of the country combating ISIL extremists. EMN-220317-102912005A Royal Air Force C-17 aircraft at RAF Brize Norton is refuelled before delivering humanitarian aid to Cyprus, for forwarding to Northern Iraq in support of Operation Shader. RAF C-17 aircraft with UK Aid destined for Northern Iraq left RAF Brize Norton and was flown to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where it would be put onto the RAF Hercules C-130J aircraft and delivered into Iraq. RAF C-130 aircraft have helped deliver much-needed military equipment to Iraq to assist those in the north of the country combating ISIL extremists. EMN-220317-102912005
A Royal Air Force C-17 aircraft at RAF Brize Norton is refuelled before delivering humanitarian aid to Cyprus, for forwarding to Northern Iraq in support of Operation Shader. RAF C-17 aircraft with UK Aid destined for Northern Iraq left RAF Brize Norton and was flown to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where it would be put onto the RAF Hercules C-130J aircraft and delivered into Iraq. RAF C-130 aircraft have helped deliver much-needed military equipment to Iraq to assist those in the north of the country combating ISIL extremists. EMN-220317-102912005

The operations will be taking place from Tuesday, March 22 until Thursday, March 24, between 7pm until 11pm.

This represents a second week of Night Vision Goggle training for RAF transport aircraft crews.

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Wing Commander Maggie Boyle, Deputy Station Commander at RAF Wittering, said: “We would like to reassure our neighbours that, although this is the second week of night flying, we make every effort to keep disturbance to a minimum.”

The missions will involve the use of the C-17 Globemaster, a long range, heavy-lift transport aircraft that can operate close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions. Operating under the cover of night is essential in modern military operations. Night Vision Goggles are a real tactical advantage and enable crews to land and take-off safely during the hours of darkness. Night Vision Goggle training is a method of conducting night flying without lights on an airfield. Crews wear equipment which enhances ambient light conditions, allowing the RAF to operate into hostile or sparsely populated areas.