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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National

Incredible images show dozens of fighter jets soaring over the English Channel in joint show of force between UK, US and France

Breathtaking images have shown scores of fighter jets soaring above the English Channel in a joint show of force between the UK, America and France.

The RAF joined its French and American allies in a training exercise above the Channel with dozens of aircraft taking to the skies.

More than 40 aircraft participated in Operation Point Blank on Tuesday including two of the RAF's F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jets based at Marham in Norfolk.

Amazing photographs show the aircraft soaring through the skies above the English channel.

An RAF F-35B Lightning, a USAF F-15E Strike Eagle and a French Rafale fly over

Close-ups also show the pilots in the cockpit during the training exercise.

A French Rafale fighter flies over The English Channel during the "Point Blank" exercise (REUTERS)

Planes took off from bases around the country and the exercise was led by the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk.

Fighter jets soar over the English Channel in joint show of force between UK, US and France

The exercise has taken place before, but this year's is the largest to date, with almost double the aircraft, and it is the first time the French air force has participated.

The flights took place on Tuesday (REUTERS)

Aircraft from the three air forces, including the French Rafale fighter and US F-15, worked as a team against "threats" in the training environment.

A pilot of a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker is seen at work in the cockpit during the "Point Blank" exercise after taking off from RAF Mildenhall (REUTERS)

Air Commodore Jez Attridge, of the RAF, said: "It really is a case of us staying ready so that we can be used if we need to.

"It's a great insurance policy."

A USAF F-15E Strike Eagle (REUTERS)

He described the inclusion of the two F-35s as a "huge milestone" which "really shows the progression that Lightning Force is making".

The first four F-35s touched down at RAF Marham in June, and five more arrived in August.

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