United Kingdom: A joint NATO Open Skies operational mission has been conducted for the first time over the United Kingdom since 2021.
The Open Skies team, part of the Joint Arms Control Implementation Group (JACIG), works with partner countries’ surveillance aircraft equipped with authorised sensors to collect pictures of Treaty signatories, monitoring and photographing more than 200 kilometres of terrain in the past year.
The Joint Arms Control Implementation Group was established in 1990 and is now under the control of the Directorate of Overseas Bases. Its primary role is to conduct arms control inspection and observation duties in 23 countries. The Open Skies Treaty, which was enacted in 2002, is legally binding and currently holds 32 state parties. The treaty is available in 6 official operational languages.
In February, JACIG coordinated an inbound observation mission with Romania and France over the UK. The mission was intended to maintain operational readiness and preserve knowledge of Open Skies procedures.
Flight Lieutenant Charlotte Williams and linguist Flight Sergeant David Coupland, from the Joint Aerial Collective Intelligence Group, hosted Lieutenant-Colonel Jérôme Diwo, the French Team Chief, for a two-day series of tests at Royal Air Force or RAF Brize Norton.
The tests spanned three flights and involved a comprehensive evaluation of multiple airspace agencies. This provided an excellent opportunity for key stakeholders to engage and gain experience in mission activities.
As per the reports, before boarding the flight, the mission participants attended briefings and initial aircraft inspections. During the flight, they utilised specialist sensors to collect imagery. The day ended with the mission Report signing and Team Chief gifting.
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