Air Force Cooperation Programme
Bilateral military activity between the Royal Air Force and the Russian Federation Air Force is intended to build relationships, promote trust and improve understanding. Contact between the two Air Forces facilitates an exchange of ideas and information that allows both sides to benefit from the other's experience. These contacts occur not only at the practical level, as can be seen from the visits described below, but also through briefings and presentations by senior air force officers. In 2006 the two Air Forces commenced a programme of visits in the three key areas where it was felt that each side could gain mutual benefit. These areas were Aviation Safety, Search and Rescue and Flying Training. Senior officers and their staffs from the Russian Federation Air Force visited the tri-service Defence Aviation Centre at RAF Bentley Priory and the RAF’s Aeronautical Rescue and Coordination Centre at RAF Kinloss. The RAF sent a delegation to visit the Russian Federation’s flying training base at Krasnodar, near the Black Sea. There are more details about these events below. Specific activities are planned for 2009, and details will follow once they have been confirmed.
FLYING TRAINING
In June 2006, a delegation from the Royal Air Force’s Central Flying School (CFS), headed by Group Captain Ayers, visited the Russian Federation’s Air Force base at Krasnodar. The delegation was introduced to the methods, courses and facilities that the Russian Air Force uses to train its pilots and were also shown the training aircraft in use by the Russian Air Force. Additionally, the Commandant of CFS flew a training sortie in the Russian L-39 basic trainer.
In March 2007, a Russian delegation, headed by Major General Petrushkov, paid a visit to the RAF bases at Cranwell and Linton-on-Ouse. During the visit, the delegation was shown how the RAF trains its pilots during the elementary, basic and advanced flying training stages. At RAF Linton-on-Ouse, two Russian officers flew in the RAF’s basic trainer, the Tucano, on simulated student training missions.
AVIATION SAFETY
In June 2006, a delegation of 5 Russian Officers, headed by Major General Kolyada, visited the UK’s tri-service Defence Aviation Safety centre (DASC). The Russian delegation was briefed on the MOD's approach to aviation safety, its organisation and its ongoing work. The visit proved to be a sound basis for developing links in this area and personnel from the DASC are due to visit the Russian Federation later this year to study Russian methods and continue discussions.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
In May 2006, a delegation of Russian Officers, headed by Lieutenant General Stytsenkov, visited the Aeronautical Rescue and Coordination Centre, which is based at RAF Kinloss. The delegation was briefed on how the Centre coordinates the rescue of downed aircrew and the wider coordination functions that the Centre is responsible for. The officers were also briefed on the practical aspects of aircrew survival at sea and on land, as well as being given the opportunity to witness at first hand how a rescue mission is carried out when they were flown on a Sea King helicopter during a training mission in the Cairngorm mountains. A reciprocal visit to the Russian Federation is planned for late 2007.
