HC Deb 22 April 1980 vol 983 cc121-2W
Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in the light of the participation of United States air defence aircraft alongside those of Great Britain in Exercise Elder Forest 80, it is now the intention of Her Majesty's Government that the United States Air Force shall in future have a planned and exercised role in the defence of the United Kingdom air defence region.

Mr. Pattie

A number of USAF F15 fighters based on the Continent and United Kingdom-based F5's participated in the exercise alongside RAF air defence aircraft. I greatly welcome this initiative by the NATO commanders, which provided not only extra training for both Air Forces but experience which would be valuable if such co-operation were needed in wartime. No United States Air Force aircraft are currently assigned to the air defence of the United Kingdom and the employment in wartime of air defence aircraft which form part of United States reinforcements would be a matter for decision by major NATO commanders in the light of the prevailing military situation. I hope that it will be possible for United States Air Force fighters to participate frequently in future United Kingdom air defence exercises.

Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement as to the effectiveness of the United Kingdom's air defences in the light of Exercise Elder Forest 80.

Mr. Pattie

There is no doubt of the value of the exercise as a unique test of the effectiveness of the United Kingdom air defences, but the results are still being evaluated. When the evaluation is complete, I shall consider how much information it would be in the public interest to divulge.

Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were flown by RAF air defence aircraft in the course of Exercise Elder Forest 80.

Mr. Pattie

Several hundred, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose the precise rate of effort achieved over the exercise period since this information would be of intelligence value to a potential enemy.

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