6 Squadron - The Tin-opener

The first edition of the Tin-opener was written in 1944 and distributed to serving members of 6 Squadron as well as members of the 6 Squadron Association. The current edition of the quarterly squadron journal (for April 2025) is Number 135. Here is an extract:

 

"6 Squadron Typhoons and pilots from RAF Lossiemouth have recently returned from the successful deployment to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Canopeners of 6 Squadron were representing the UK’s Combat Air in this year’s Exercise Red Flag and Bamboo Eagle.The Red Flag is a contested combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. For the duration of the exercise, the aircraft are based at Nellis Air Force Base and the flying is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). The exercise runs for 2 weeks and includes complex day and night mission scenarios, whilst flying and coordinating with various aircraft types to achieve common training objectives. After the Red Flag element of the deployment was complete, the Canopeners took part in Exercise Bamboo Eagle which ran for a further 5 days. This exercise involved the previous participants but focused on a larger geographical execution of the missions and utlised the large airspace off the west coast of California to conduct the training. The aircraft were taking off from Nellis Air Force Base before transiting to the start point in the Pacific Ocean with air-to-air refuelling. Aer the execution of the mission, the Typhoons flew back via Santa Maria regional airport, where they refuelled on the ground and then transited back to Nellis. Bamboo Eagle is designed to tests the logistical components of large aircraft formations executing complex mission scenarios to achieve a common goal, along with air-to-air refuelling planning and execution."

 

NOTE: The above extract was prepared by the author in his personal capacity and the opinions expressed are his own and do not reflect official Royal Air Force policy