As part of Britain’s contribution to NATO the RAF has regularly deployed to Norway on exercise. Providing the reconnaissance element of these exercises, RAF Marham’s 2 (AC) Sqn regularly sent aircraft carrying this “arctic” style camouflage, with white paint temporarily replacing the green on the standard green and grey camouflage.
Using the specialist GR1A version of the Tornado, 2 (AC) Sqn were a vital part of NATO’s intelligence gathering force, with the GR1A Tornado’s Linescan imaging systems and IR cameras being able to rapidly provide imagery to battlefield commanders, in any weather or conditions.
The GR1A proved the mainstay of the RAF tactical reconnaissance force, replacing the Jaguar in this role. It is a role that 2 (AC) Sqn continue to fulfill from RAF Marham to this day, albeit now with the updated Tornado GR4A.
