In Pictures: RAF Force Protection training

Force Protection specialists from the Royal Air Force took to Salisbury Plain to hone their readiness for operations

While the Royal Air Force is deployed at home and overseas on operations, specialist teams from the air force are there to protect them. These are known as the RAF Force Protection Force.

Recently the Force Protection elements, 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, deployed to Salisbury Plain on Exercise Blazing Chariot. The men showed off their ability to mobilise at short notice on foot and in Armoured Vehicles.

The training team put the squadron under pressure day and night to ensure they are fully prepared for future deployments.

The RAF Force Protection Force is made up of RAF Police who secure critical ablities to enable Air operations and the RAF Regiment who provides defence by fighting on the ground to enable control of the Air.

The exercise was to refresh their specialist skill-set so they are ready to support RAF operations worldwide, preventing hostile interference with air operations and damage to RAF aircraft when vulnerable on the ground.

Here are the best photos from their training👇

Gunner from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment.

Gunners from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment in the forests on Salisbury Plain during training.

Gunner from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment in the forests on Salisbury Plain during training.

Gunner from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment firing in the forests on Salisbury Plain during training.

Gunners from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment track down a target on Salisbury Plain.

Gunner from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment.

Gunners from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment in a Gillie suit.

Gunner from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment in a Gillie suit.

Gunners from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment in a Gillie suit.

Gunners from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment dismount from the Foxhound Armoured Vehicle.

Gunners from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment dismounted from the Foxhound Armoured Vehicle.

Gunners from 1 Sqn RAF Regiment patrolling through Salisbury Plain.

Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here 👇