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Island of Ireland in ‘absolutely critical position’ amid tensions with Russia
The deployment was the first time the RAF operated a Poseidon from Aldergrove, as officials linked the exercise to closer UK-Ireland defence cooperation.
- Last week, the Royal Air Force deployed a P-8 Poseidon from Scotland to the Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove in Northern Ireland for Exercise Emerald Rescue, marking its first operation from this airfield.
- Brigadier Piers Ashfield, commander of 38 Brigade, called the exercise the "physical manifestation" of an updated memorandum of understanding signed by the UK and the Republic of Ireland in March to enhance bilateral defence co-operation.
- Wing Commander Rob McCartney of the 201 Squadron described Ireland as "strategically important to what is going on in the world," noting the Russian Navy regularly deploys in the North Atlantic.
- The RAF intends to "plant a little flag in Aldergrove" to operate closer with Irish partners, with McCartney stating airfields like Aldergrove are part of a "war of deterrence."
- Ashfield emphasized that Ireland's location in the Greenland-Iceland gap threatens critical national infrastructure the UK and Europe depend on, positioning Aldergrove as strategically advantageous for Nato and bilateral partners.
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Evening Standard+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Island of Ireland in ‘absolutely critical position’ amid tensions with Russia
Brigadier Piers Ashfield was speaking as the RAF brought a P-8 Poseidon to Northern Ireland for a joint exercise with the Coastguard and RNLI.
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
L 27%
C 73%
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