§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has to the date on which 21st Special Operations Squadron of the United States Air Force was activated; on what date it will become operational; what its role will be as declared to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; what British military facilities, other than RAF Woodbridge, are to be used by, or in support of, this unit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe personnel and equipment of the unit which will be known as the United States Air Force 21st Special Operations Squadron are currently operational at RAF Woodbridge but the official designation of the new unit has yet to be formalised; the process is expected to be completed in June. The unit's role is to train and support United States Special Operations forces when deployed to the United Kingdom for operations in support of NATO by providing resupply and airlift. The helicopters of the squadron will also assume responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance as required. The squadron will be able to make use of the range of training and support facilities made available to United States forces stationed in the United Kingdom.