Personnel previously involved in the 2018 Salisbury Novichok Incident clean-up are now actively participating in NATO’s annual ‘Toxic Trip’ Exercise.
Hosted by the Belgian Air Component at Koksijde Air Base, this counter Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (C-CBRN) training event took place from 18th to 29th September 2023.
The Salisbury Incident, for those unaware, was when Russian former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in Salisbury in March 2018, and subsequently the UK authorities announced that the nerve agent Novichok had been used, leading them to conclude that Russia was responsible for the attack.
This year’s training saw the collaboration of C-CBRN experts from 18 National Air Forces of NATO, in addition to participants from Austrian, Swedish, and South Korean allies. Together, they rehearsed their C-CBRN defence procedures within a realistic deployed air base scenario.
Reflecting on the importance of their role and referencing the Salisbury incident, the release stated, “The high-profile 2018 Salisbury Novichok Incident was just one example of the threat posed to the UK and our Allies by those who seek to harm us with CBRN Weapons.”
Speaking about his experience, AS1 Bailey, the youngest member of the RAF detachment, shared, “This is my first overseas deployment with the RAF – it’s great to be here in Belgium… it was a proud moment to carry the Union Flag at the Opening Ceremony.”
Corporal White added, “The opportunity to integrate with our NATO partners has been a fantastic experience! … It’s been a truly memorable time.”
Highlighting the significance of the exercise, Flight Lieutenant Cris Bond remarked, “Exercise Toxic Trip is an outstanding opportunity… This level of realistic, multi-national training shows just how serious we are in preparing against our adversaries who may be willing to use CBRN weapons.”
