PERSONNEL from the Belgian Air Force have been training at RAF Brize Norton.

Ahead of Belgium receiving its own Airbus A400M - a military transport aircraft - later this year, a pilot and loadmaster from the Belgian Air Force have been undergoing intense theory and practical training for 15 months.

Senior captain Jonas Van Hellemont, Belgian Air Force pilot, said: “Operating as a flight simulator instructor aids in knowing the aircraft and its procedures far better than I could have learned on a course.

“On top of theoretical training, crew members need real life experience, being deployed with a crew and handling situations which cannot be trained on the ground.

See also: Oxford man in China says he is not worried about bringing deadly coronavirus back to the UK

“We can use this unique opportunity to share this experience with our Belgian colleagues.

“We couldn’t have hoped for a better way to gain this experience, as our RAF colleagues are always willing to help us.”

Wing commander Andy McIntyre said: “We have a huge responsibility to grow and shape the future UK A400M Force, both in training new and current crews but also in developing and introducing new capabilities and working out how best to teach everyone to use them.

“Having the perspective of an A400M partner nation is invaluable and we really hope the links being forged will endure well into the future.”