RAF heroes earn ‘ace’ status after blasting Iran drones | UK | News
Rapid Sentry air defense system (Image: MOD)
RAF Regiment gunners have achieved drone ‘ace’ status for the first time in history after blasting unmanned systems out of the sky. Four crack gunners from the regiment earned the title while performing duties protecting British bases in the Middle East.
The title “Ace” is based on the same definition in World War II when pilots were defined as such if they shot down five enemies. Armed Forces Minister Al Carns praised them for bringing down Tehran’s drones, which were “under threat every night.”
An RAF Regiment gunner “ace” said: “We are all RAF Gunners; some of us are 18 years old, most of us have more than five confirmed engagements and some of us have only been out of training for eight months. We are responsible for detecting, tracking and attacking targets under constant threat, often under fire, but we continue to load and operate equipment even when missiles descend around us.”
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Defense Minister Al Carns praises soldiers’ ‘extraordinary’ efforts (Image: Getty)
“We take great pride in our role. We stay focused, determined and resilient by working long, challenging shifts in high-pressure conditions.”
RAF Regiment gunners are specialist soldiers who serve on the ground at British air bases and aim to protect themselves from threats.
Since the beginning of the American-Israeli war with Iran, artillery has been protecting UK bases in the Middle East against Iranian Shahed drones.
The regiment’s new-age “aces” have in their arsenal a variety of tools for targeting unmanned aerial vehicles, including early warning sensors, electronic warfare and a short-range missile launcher weapon called the Rapid Sentry air defense system.
Mr Carns said: “Our teams in the Middle East operate in the most challenging conditions imaginable and they do so with professionalism, courage and true combat prowess.
“I am immensely proud of our RAF Regiment.
“They protect British lives and interests under threat night after night and they do so in the best traditions of the RAF Regiment.
“Many of these heroes have achieved ‘ace’ status in neutralizing Iran’s drones.
“The first of its kind, it is not only impressive but extraordinary.
“We don’t say this enough in the UK, but thank you for your service.”
Units that hit five or more are given the title of ‘ace’ (Image: MOD)
Global Enablement Command Air Commodore Paul Hamilton said: “Our deployed artillery demonstrates extraordinary bravery in defending deployed UK personnel, allies and partners every day.
“They literally risk their own lives in the defense of others; as their Commander, I am extremely proud of the professionalism and sacrifice displayed by these amazing people.”
Defense Secretary John Healey announced this week that the Rapid Sentry system, used to shoot down Iranian drones approaching British bases, will also be deployed to Kuwait.
The system is armed with lightweight multi-role missiles (LMMs) and Britain has said it plans to buy more of them to supply British forces and their allies.
