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For the first time in history, RAF Regiment gunners have achieved the distinguished status of drone “aces” after successfully intercepting and destroying multiple unmanned aircraft. Four crack gunners from the regiment earned this rare title while fulfilling their critical role of protecting British bases situated across the Middle East. The definition of “ace” harks back to the Second World War, when pilots were bestowed the honour for shooting down five enemy planes.
Armed forces minister Al Carns lauded their exceptional efforts, praising them for shooting down Tehran’s drones “night after night, under threat”. RAF Regiment gunners are specialist ground-based soldiers, specifically tasked with safeguarding British airbases from potential threats. Their recent operations have seen them defending UK installations throughout the Middle East from Iran’s Shahed drones, a vital mission undertaken since the onset of the American-Israeli war with Iran.
The new age “aces” from the regiment have a variety of tools in their arsenal to target the drones, including early warning sensors, electronic warfare, and a short-range missile launching weapon called the Rapid Sentry air defence system.
Mr Carns said: “Our teams across the Middle East are operating in some of the most demanding conditions imaginable, and they are delivering with professionalism, courage and real combat skill.
“I am hugely proud of our RAF Regiment.
“Night after night, under threat, they are protecting British lives and British interests, and doing so in the finest traditions of the RAF Regiment.
“Several of these heroes have achieved ‘ace’ status neutralising Iranian drones.
“The first of its kind, it isn’t just impressive, it is exceptional.
“We don’t say it enough in the UK, but thank you for your service.”
Air Commodore Paul Hamilton, Commander, Global Enablement, said: “Our deployed gunners are showing outstanding courage to defend deployed UK personnel, allies and partners every day.
“They are genuinely putting their own lives at risk in the defence of others; as their Commandant General, I am extremely proud of the professionalism and self-sacrifice being displayed by these amazing people.”
The Rapid Sentry system being used to shoot down Iranian drones approaching British bases is also set to be deployed to Kuwait, Defence Secretary John Healey announced this week.
The system is armed with lightweight multirole missiles (LMMs), and the UK has said it plans to buy more of these to supply British forces and allies.
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