Eurofighter Typhoons debut in Central Europe

UK Ministry of Defence,

Thousands of people will this weekend gather in the Czech Republic to see the RAF's newest fighter aircraft make its debut appearance in Central Europe.

Two Typhoons from 11 Squadron RAF touched down today, Friday 14 September 2007, at Ostrava airport to take part in the country's NATO Day celebrations which are broadcast live on Czech TV.

Also waiting on the tarmac for the aircraft on the eve of Battle of Britain Day was one of 'The Few', 90-year-old veteran General František Škarvada, one of more than 2,000 Czechs and Slovaks who served with the RAF during World War Two.

Modern day RAF pilot and 11 Squadron detachment commander Flight Lieutenant Neil Battersby said:

“I think it's very important for all of us to remember our history and it is a great honour to meet veterans like the General who fought for Britain in the RAF.

“It's also important that we maintain our alliances and the fact that this is the first time the Typhoons have visited Central Europe shows the importance we attach to the special defence relationship between Britain and the Czech Republic through NATO.”

The two-day event starts tomorrow, Saturday 15 September 2007, and is billed as a NATO capability demonstration. But it is also the Czech Republic's entry on the annual world air display calendar. Last year's event attracted a crowd of 55,000 people.

General Skarvada joined the RAF in 1940 aged 23, and, after fighting in Poland at the outbreak of the war, flew Spitfires and Hurricanes with 310 Czechoslovak Squadron, which saw action in the Battle of Britain. He said:

“I welcomed the Typhoon pilots to the Czech Republic and wished them all the best. Even at 90-years-old it feels quite emotional to meet fellow RAF pilots as it reminds me of the friends I fought with during the war.”

After meeting aircrew from different generations General Skarvada was presented with pictures of past and present 11 Squadron aircraft, a Hurricane and a Typhoon, by the unit's engineering officer Flight Lieutenant Dom Marshall.

The two Typhoons took around one and a half hours to complete the journey from their base at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, flying at 41,000 feet at speeds of up to Mach 0.9 or nine miles per minute.

They were joined by four Tornado F3 fighters from 111 (F) Squadron based at RAF Leuchars in Fife, Scotland, and two Tornado GR4 bombers from 2 (AC) Squadron based at RAF Marham in Norfolk.

British Defence Attaché in Prague Colonel Jamie Athill said the RAF participation at this year's event which starts on the UK Battle of Britain Day highlighted the strong military relationship between the Czech Republic and the UK both in World War Two and since 1989:

“After the fall of France 2,200 Czechs and Slovaks joined the RAF while 7,000 men of the Czechoslovak Independent Army Brigade were based in the UK.

“Since 1989 both countries have enjoyed a very strong bi-lateral relationship; Czechoslovak and Czech units have served with British Forces in both Gulf Wars and on other operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.”

NATO Day in Ostrava is a unique event in the Czech Republic and Central Europe. It is non-commercial and admission is free of charge and this year's event marks the 10th anniversary of the Czech Republic and Hungary being invited to join NATO at the Madrid summit in 1997.

The RAF roll of honour for the Battle of Britain recognises 574 pilots from countries other than Great Britain as flying at least one authorised operational sortie with an eligible unit during the period 10 July to 31 October 1940, alongside 2,353 British pilots.

Two Czechoslovak fighter squadrons,No 310 and No 312, were formed early enough in 1940 to take part in the Battle of Britain. Together with Czechoslovak pilots serving in other RAF units, a total of 88 Czechoslovaks (87 Czechs and 1 Slovak) served.

Since the end of April 2007 a 35 member contingent of Special Operations Group of the Czech Military Police has been serving in the south of Afghanistan in Helmand Province. The unit reinforces capabilities of a British brigade deployed in this part of the country. The unit's task is to protect specific persons and significant objects and facilities.

In response to a NATO request the Czech Government decided in January 2007 to deploy a field hospital and a chemical detachment of the Czech military in Kabul. The deployment commenced in March 2007 and includes 98 personnel.

A total of 80 Czech personnel have been part of a reconstruction team in Badakhshan Province since 9 March 2005. Their task is to support security in the area, to protect international units, and to cooperate with local people in reconstruction of their homeland.

A total of 89 Czech soldiers are deployed to defend and protect a base of multinational force close to the City of Basra and perform police tasks out of the base. Five soldiers of the Contingent are serving at the International Command of the NATO Training Mission in Iraq in Baghdad.