§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what nation was the sponsor of the Arid Thunder exercise. [23441]
§ Mr. SoamesThe United Kingdom sponsored Exercise Arid Thunder 95–96.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were flown by each squadron involved in Exercise Arid Thunder; and how many(a) BL755 and (b) other weapons were dropped by each squadron during the exercise. [23538]
§ Mr. SoamesThe number of sorties flown and BL755, 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs dropped during Exercise Arid Thunder, by squadron, was as follows:
Unit Sorties BL755 3 Kg PB 14 Kg PB 13 Squadron 93 139 50 — 14 Squadron 95 140 — 22 17 Squadron 131 137 75 30 617 Squadron 115 140 37 38