RAF PERSONNEL BECOME FIRST EVER DRONE 'ACES' DURING OPERATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

LONDON, March 28 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

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RAF Regiment gunners in the Middle East become'aces'for the first time in the unit's history.

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The"Ace"termis traditionallyusedfor a pilotwhoshoots downat least fiveenemyaircraftin combat.

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Gunners in the RAF Regiment have won the term for the first time through shooting down five or more Iraniandrones.

Crackgunners fromtheRAF Regimenthave become'aces'for the first time,havingblastedIranian drones out of the skyduring operations in the MiddleEast,protecting British interests, partners,and personnel in the region.

The fourpersonnelachieved "ace" status by taking out five or moredrones during operations in the Middle East.

The'ace'title is based on the same definition used in the Second World War, when a pilot wasnamedan'ace'if they shot down five or more enemyaircraft.

The evolution of themuch-acclaimed mark of respect and recognitiondemonstrateshow no matter the era, the RAF still protects the skies.

The new 'aces'operatea complex system of defences to protectpersonneland equipment on the ground.To defeat the enemy, they combine early-warning sensors,electronicwarfare, and thestate-of-the-artRapid Sentry air defence systemarmed with Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM).

RAFRegiment gunners in the Middle East face a range of threats, including from uncrewed systems, hostile drones, and complex swarming technologies designed to disrupt operations and endanger personnel on the ground.

An RAF Regiment gunner 'ace' said:

We are all RAF Gunners-some as young as 18, many of us with over five confirmed engagements, and some just eight months out of training. We are proud torepresentthe next generation of the Corps.

Under constant threat, weare responsible fordetecting,trackingand engaging targets, often while coming under fire but we continue to load andoperateequipment even as missiles land around us.

We take immense pride in our role. Working long, demanding shifts in high-pressure conditions, weremainfocused, determined, and resilient.

Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns MP said:

Our teams across the Middle East are operating in some of the most demanding conditions imaginable, and they are delivering with professionalism, courage and real combat skill.

I am hugely proud of our RAF Regiment. Night after night, under threat, they are protecting British lives and British interests, and doing so in the finest traditions of the RAF Regiment.

Several of these heroes have achieved 'ace' status neutralising Iranian drones. The first of its kind, it isn't just impressive, it is exceptional.

We don't say it enough in the UK, but thank you for your Service.

Wing Commander Richard Maughan, Officer Commanding No. 2 Counter‑Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing said:

Since the outset of the conflict in late February 2026, RAF Regiment personnel-supported by Royal Air Force engineers and air surveillance officers-have been at the forefront of countering persistent one‑way attackdronestargetingUK and Allied personnel, infrastructure, and assets in the Middle East.

During the 23rd and 24th of March, RAF Regiment gunnersoperatingwithin a ground‑based counter‑droneunit delivered the most effective defensive outcome achieved in a single night to date, underscoring the Regiment'scentral rolein force protection within a high‑threat environment.

Air Cdre Paul Hamilton, Commander Global Enablement:

Our deployed gunners are showing outstanding courage to defend deployed UK personnel, allies, and partners every day.

They are genuinely putting their own lives at risk in the defence of others; as their Commandant General, I am extremely proud of the professionalism and self-sacrifice being displayed by these amazing people.

This defensive action is in line with the UK's policy to defend British people, interests, and partners in the region while avoiding being drawn into the wider conflict.

It comes asthe Defence Secretary this week announced that the UK will deploy Rapid Sentry to Kuwait to support the country's air defence against Iranian attacks.

The MODalsoconfirmed last week that the UK intends to buy further Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to supply to British forces and support partners in the region, including with training in the UK where needed.

As RAF Regiment gunners have shown, Lightweight Multirole Missiles, manufactured by Thales UK in Belfast, have proven highly capable for air defence in the Middle East.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.