RAF Rivet Joint activity in the Mediterranean theatre

Last September 12th, an RAF Boeing RC-135W “Sentry” (reg. ZZ666), which took off from RAF Waddington, landed at Souda Bay in Crete. From there, in recent days, the aircraft has carried out several missions over different sectors, which we have summarized in a single image. As can be seen, the aircraft operated in the theater between Syria and Iraq in support of Operation Shader missions against ISIS.

It also flew over the eastern Mediterranean, conducting missions off the coast of Syria (monitoring Russian activities in the region) and off the coast of Israel and Lebanon (related to the current crisis).

However, the aircraft did not overlook the Ukrainian theater, orbiting over eastern Romania and conducting at least one mission, with escort, over the Black Sea south of Crimea. Finally, in recent days, the aircraft also participated in the NATO Ramstein Flag exercise taking place in Greece.

The RC-135W is a reconnaissance aircraft used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It is equipped with advanced radar and electronic surveillance systems to collect signals intelligence (SIGINT) by intercepting communications and radar emissions. Based on the Boeing C-135 Stratolifter airframe, the RC-135W is part of the “Rivet Joint” program and plays a critical role in gathering information during military operations. It is often deployed in sensitive regions to monitor enemy activity and support strategic operations.