Exercise Hyperion Storm has confirmed the Royal Air Force’s readiness to support the UK’s upcoming leadership role in NATO’s Allied Reaction Force Special Operations Component from July 2026, the service stated.
The exercise, conducted over two weeks in January 2026 at RAF Leeming, assessed the RAF Special Operations Air Task Group’s (SOATG) ability to support Land Task Group missions using Chinook helicopters from 27 Squadron. The RAF said the training focused on core special operations tasks including special reconnaissance, direct action and military assistance.
According to the RAF, the exercise involved just over 200 personnel and formed part of preparations for the UK assuming responsibility for the NATO Allied Reaction Force Special Operations element later this year.
Colonel Phil, Deputy Commander of Special Operations Component Command, said the evaluation process involved extensive scrutiny of performance standards.
He said: “The evaluation process is exacting and demanding; every detail is scrutinised. As a headquarters we had to meet over 850 performance measures to ensure complete validation for NATO.”
Colonel Phil added: “On this exercise we are here to support and ensure the success of the Maritime, Land and Air Task Groups as they seamlessly work together. This is the first time we have brought together the UK’s Joint Special Operations Forces for such an important leadership role in NATO. It demonstrates the versatility of the UK Commando Force, Ranger Regiment and Royal Air Force, both in support of our NATO Alliance partners and allies across the globe.”
The RAF said the exercise marked the culmination of two years of preparation by the SOATG, based at RAF Benson, and 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham. Additional supporting units included Joint Helicopter Support Squadron, 90 Signals Unit, Air Land Integration Squadron and II Squadron RAF Regiment.
Wing Commander Matthew, Commanding Officer of SOATG, said the validation had been the result of sustained preparation. He said: “This has been a concentrated effort for the past two years to reach validation which, in collaboration with NATO and our sister Services has resulted in a successful Exercise.”
“Air Land Integration Squadron”
A Squadron? I thought it was only a Cell, based at Coningsby. Has it expanded then?
Maybe is actually a cell, Squadron in name only?
*or its squadron FFBNW a full compliment of personnel..
As I understood it it’s a cell comprising RAF Reg JTACs.
In name only, I did find another example of that subterfuge. One of the “Squadrons” of the RN MTXG I read of the other day has just over a dozen personnel. That’s a section, not a flipping Squadron.
I suspect much of HM forces have gone the same way.