§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will prohibit the USAF from using British airspace to practise war games with aeroplanes disguised as Russian missiles.
Mr. WelbelovedI assume that my hon. Friend has based this Question upon a report in theSunday Times of 9th January 1977 about the USAF Aggressor Squadron based at Alconbury. The primary task of these aircraft is to provide air combat training against dissimilar aircraft. For this purpose they simulate the tactics and performance of possible intruder aircraft. Training takes place mainly over the North Sea, in an area clear of airways and published air routes. Both in the area and en route to it, these aircraft operate under radar control to avoid air traffic confliction. Since this unit arrived in this country there have been no reports of its having been involved in any airmiss incident. I note that Air Anglia, the civil airline mentioned in the article, has denied that there has been any hazard to the firm's 500W aircraft or any near miss, and has stated that the USAF combat training is in no way dangerous to civilian flights. The firm enjoys the closest co-operation with civil and military air traffic control units, and all of its flights are monitored by radar in conjunction with the activity of the Third USAF. Against this background, my reply to my hon. Friend's Question is "No".