RAF

Police at a road block on the road to RAF Fairford after major incident has been declared, with armed police manning a cordon near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire, near RAF Fairford which is used by the United States Air Force (USAF).

Counter-terrorism police leading inquiry after explosive arrests near RAF base

A Hawker Hurricane Mk1 – Hurricanes fought in the Battle of Britain

Letter: Honouring the sacrifice of ‘The Few’ on Battle of Britain Day

The Cross Border Jobs Fair took place at the Ebrington Hotel in Londonderry on Tuesday.

Lyons slams disruption to RAF and Army stands at jobs fair

George Beamish had two stellar careers: in the RAF and as an international rugby player

Paul McElhinney: A family affair - the ‘Flying Beamishes’ from Castlerock

EU defence ministers who attended the security and defence summit in Co Wicklow on Wednesday. The RAF and Royal Navy provided security for the event.

RAF and Royal Navy provide security for EU defence summit in Wicklow

Dr Kathryn Owen is a former RAF medic, a healthcare professional with a PhD in cardiovascular medicine, and is currently a Senior Health Official working in public health.

UUP runs ex-DUP councillor as candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down

The wreckage of the Chinook Helicopter which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre killing all 29 on board

Chinook crash families urge new PM to back fresh review into 1994 tragedy

The lost plane was a Vickers Wellington bomber (image by Culture Club/Getty Images)

Plans unveiled for monument honouring tragic crew of RAF bomber

The Princess Royal uses a sword to mark the occasion by planting an Irish yew tree during a visit to the Castle Archdale Museum in Irvinestown. Pics: PA Wire

Princess Royal meets air cadets in Co Fermanagh

At Coleraine town hall are Captain Robert Gibson of Royal Logistic Corps 152 (North Irish) Regiment; RAF Wing Commander Jacqueline Rankin; Commander Tom Wardley, Senior Naval Officer NI; RAF air cadet Eirean Hickey and army cadet Matthew Thompson.

Excitement mounts as Armed Forces Day marches in

Former defence secretary Sir Liam Fox (centre) arrives to hand in a letter to 10 Downing Street, London, joined by some of the families affected by the Chinook Helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre killing all 29 on board in 1994, calling for a fresh review of the case. Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire

Former defence secretary calls for inquiry into 1994 Chinook crash tragedy

201 Officer Commanding Wing Commander Rob McCartney led the RAF unit which brought a P-8 Poseidon to Northern Ireland for a joint exercise with the Coastguard and RNLI last week, speaking at the Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station, Aldergrove, Co Antrim.

Maritime search and rescue boosted as RAF patrol plane brought in

Brigadier Piers Ashfield, the commander of 38 Brigade and the senior military officer in Northern Ireland

Island of Ireland in ‘absolutely critical position’ amid tensions with Russia

Mr Thomas Doherty with his certificate declaring his new status as Freeman of the City of Lisburn and Castlereagh.

Freedom of the City for 'overwhelmed' RAF veteran Tommy, 99

Air Chief Marshal Marshal Harv Smyth said there's "no other aircraft in the world" like the Harrier.

Harrier handover: RAF 'machine defying convention' given to Ulster flying museum

A Lebanese soldier passes in front of a damaged hotel that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Hazmieh, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Sir Keir Starmer insisted the special relationship with the US would endure
But Sir Keir said “hanging on to President Trump's latest words is not the special relationship in action”, indicating that military and intelligence co-operation with the US was continuing.
By David Hughes and Sophie Wingate, Press Association

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, at the ceremonial sod cutting for the WWII Trainer Dome in Aghanloo, joined by local partners and community representatives. Photo courtesy of Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust.

Sod cutting on £1m work on WWII Trainer Dome in Aghanloo

DUP leader Gavin Robinson.

Russian threat a reminder of UK's security shield around NI - Robinson

The wreckage of a Chinook Helicopter which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 killing all 29 on board

Chinook crash families say defence ministers have ‘deigned to meet us’

Morning View

Editorial: MoD has failed to stop the betrayal of veterans of NI

On a visit to Irish Presbyterian Royal Air Force chaplains stationed in England, Moderator Rev Dr Trevor Gribben speaks with one of the chaplains Rev (Squadron Leader) Michael McCormick (right)

Presbyterian Moderator meets RAF chaplains on duty

Harvey 'Harv' Smyth has spoken to the News Letter about his career beginnings and highlights, as he takes over command of the RAF

From Lurgan College to leader of the RAF: the career of fighter pilot Harv Smyth

People queuing to get into Westminster Abbey for a National Day of Prayer in May 1940 during the evacuation of Dunkirk in World War II

Letter: Prayer days in World War II showed value of seeking Divine help

Air Chief Marshal Harvey 'Harv' Smyth, originally from Lurgan, took up his current post in August (Joe Giddens-PA)

Head of the RAF: 'The threat of a state-on-state conflict is much more real'

Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth – the first person from Northern Ireland to become Chief of the Air Staff and head of the RAF - speaking at Stormont on Friday

UK's increase in defence spending 'will create high-quality jobs in NI'

A Lancaster bomber flew over Parliament Buildings in the early evening, honouring those who fought in the Battle of Britain (Press Eye)

Lancaster bomber flies over Stormont in tribute to Battle of Britain

The Red Arrows in spectaular formation over the Bangor RAF show on Friday 5 September.

Weekend of flyovers with Typhoons, Red Arrows, Lancaster Bomber
It is a dramatic weekend of RAF flyovers for Northern Ireland, with Typhoons, Red Arrows and a WWII Lancaster Bomber touring our skies
Philip Bradfield

Sir Keith Park was one of the few high-ranking air force officers in the world able to fly a modern fighter at the time of WWII

The shrewd Kiwi who did more than anyone to win Battle of Britain

RAF Bangor Town Show

RAF Bangor Town Show

Air Marshal Harvey Smyth from Lurgan has now been appointed head of the RAF

'Moment of pride for NI' as Lurgan fighter pilot chosen to lead the RAF

Joel Hornby, whose father Major Anthony Hornby was one of the victims of the RAF 1994 Chinook helicopter crash on June 2 1994 on the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland, during a visit to the memorial cairn. Mr Hornby is calling on the Prime Minister to intervene and allow a public inquiry after visiting the site of the disaster on Saturday and again on Sunday. Picture: Tim Reid Media/PA Wire

Son of Chinook 1994 helicopter crash victim visits memorial and asks for answers

Families of those killed in the 1994 Chinook crash Andy Tobias (left), Gaynor Tobias and Matt Tobias holding a photo of lieutenant colonel John Tobias, before meeting their legal team in central London

Chinook 1994 helicopter crash families criticise MoD for ‘losing moral compass’

Soldiers marching through Newtownards at the start of Armed Forces Day. Pic: Simon Graham

Armed Forces Day sees 60,000 celebrate brave heroes who keep us safe

The RAF's aerobatics team, the Red Arrows, take to the skies on Saturday for their only visit to Northern Ireland this year. Image: Cpl Phil Dye/MoD.

Armed Forces Day: Red Arrows and parade among thrills in skies and streets

The scene in Bangor last week after an incident which saw a man point an imitation gun at armed police demanding to be shot

Man in court over stand-off with armed police in Bangor high street

Floral tributes are seen outside Bicester Fire Station following a fire at Bicester Motion, the site of a former RAF base which is home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering in Oxfordshire, where a large fire broke out on Thursday. Photo: Emily Smith/PA Wire

Three who died in fire at former RAF base named

UUP MLA and Afghanistan veteran Andy Allen and WWII RAF veteran 101-year-old Victor Clarke cut the ribbon for the military memorial arch on the Shankill Road in Belfast on VE Day 2025. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

RAF veteran, 101, cuts ribbon on Ulster Military Memorial Arch

Red Arrows perfect new display.

Watch: Incredible Red Arrows display is perfected ahead of 2025 season

Martin Lynch.

I take a cold plunge in my wheelie bin every day - it helps my PTSD

The last known Battle of Britain pilot, Group Captain John 'Paddy' Hemingway DFC celebrating his 105th birthday at the British Embassy in Dublin. Group Captain Hemingway passed away peacefully on March 17 at the age of 105.

Last surviving Battle of Britain pilot Paddy Hemingway dies aged 105

Fred Jennings recently celebrated his 100th birthday at the Ulster Aviation Society. Pic credit: Matt Peters

Ulster Aviation Society celebrates Fred Jennings 100th birthday in style

RAF veteran Fred Jennings has just celebrated his 100th birthday and is still volunteering with the Ulster Aviation Society.

RAF Veteran Fred still volunteering at 100 with Ulster Aviation Museum

Preparations are underway as the Ulster Aviation Society gets ready to celebrate the 100th birthday of stalwart Fred Jennings. Pic credit: Ulster Aviation Society

Plans for Fred Jenning’s 100th birthday celebrations begin to take flight

The commemorative coins mark the 60th anniversary of the first Red Arrows display

The Royal Mint has just launched some special Red Arrows 50p coins

A Typhoon takes off from RAF Coningsby in Linconshire

Tuesday TV choice: Top Guns: Inside the RAF (Channel 4, 9pm)

The five new designs include coins commemorating the Red Arrows, the modern railway and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Royal Mint unveils five special coins for 2025

Two Polish RAF Spitfire pilots lost their lives in foul weather during a training sortie in Northern Ireland in 1943 – Warrant Officer Stanislaw Grondowski and Flight Sergeant Władysław Kołek. Flight Sergeant E Zygmund escaped with heavy injuries but also later died while flying for the RAF.

Polish RAF pilots who died in NI are remembered

Prime minister Margaret Thatcher, helped by her husband Denis, leaves the Grand Hotel, Brighton following a bomb blast which ripped through the building causing severe damage and killing five people in 1984. She had been the target of the most audacious assassination attempt since the gunpowder plot

David Montgomery: Thatcher the bomb expert cheated death in Brighton

"Anybody can do it if you do it - you are never too old" says one of the top stunt pilots appearing at the NI International Airshow this weekend - 62 year old Richard Goodwin. Look out for the jet engines on the side of his custom built 'muscle biplane'.

‘You are never too old’ – says stunt Pilot Richard, 62

The three Annalong-based Chambers’ boats – Green Isle, Green Pastures and Green Hill – photographed with their respective crews at Milford Haven at the conclusion of the search

Mourne trawlers played key role in search for missing Victor bomber

An online fundraiser has been launched to help replace the memorial to Paddy the Pigeon in Carnlough. Photo: Mary Watson

Online appeal launched to replace ‘Paddy the Pigeon’ plaque

Brian Willis in jocular mood prior to the assault course

Roamer: Scrape fat, guard coal and avoid Cynthia on national service

Crowds soaking up the atmosphere at Armed Forces Day 2024, Jordanstown Loughshore Park. The RAF Red Devils gave a thrilling display low overhead, which was also visible from a vast swathe of greater Belfast. Photo Stephen Davison, Pacemaker

WATCH: Red Arrows on Armed Forces Day as seen from Holywood Hills

Paddy the pigeon's trainer, John McMullan, at his home in Carnlough, Co Antrim in 2009 aged 88. Photo: Paul Faith/PA

How Carnlough's 'Paddy the Pigeon' helped the Allied war effort on D-Day

The wreckage of the Chinook Helicopter which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre killing all 29 on board.

Tributes paid at service to mark 30 years since RAF Chinook crash

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