Joint NATO Open Skies training mission over the United Kingdom
For the first time since 2021, there has been Open Skies operational activity over the UK.
French and Romanian Open Skies partners conducted training with their JACIG counterparts
The Open Skies team is part of the Joint Arms Control Implementation Group (JACIG) and operates on partner nations’ observation aircraft equipped with certified sensors to collect imagery of Treaty signatories, having observed and imaged over 2000km of terrain in the last year.
JACIG was established in 1990 and is now under the Directorate of Overseas Bases, conducting arms control inspection and observation duties in 23 countries in the last year. The Open Skies Treaty entered into force in 2002; with 6 official operational languages in use, the legally binding Treaty currently has 32 states parties.
Alongside NATO partners, Romania and France, JACIG coordinated an inbound observation mission over the UK in February to better maintain operational preparedness and preserve knowledge of Open Skies procedures.
Flight Lieutenant Charlotte Williams and linguist Flight Sergeant David Coupland (JACIG) welcome the French Team Chief Lieutenant-colonel Jérôme Diwo
RAF Brize Norton was the host airfield, with three flights, spanning two days, comprehensively testing as many air space agencies as possible, providing increased opportunity for key stakeholder engagement and experience of mission activities.
Romanian Air Force An-30 Open Skies aircraft arrives at RAF Brize Norton
Those taking part in the mission underwent briefings and initial aircraft inspections before boarding the flight in which they utilised the specialist sensors to collect imagery, with the Mission Report signing and Team Chief gifting ending the day.