RAF Lakenheath trains in Scotland, Joint Warrior 2016 Published April 19, 2016 By Senior Airman Nigel Sandridge 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LOSSIEMOUTH, Scotland -- HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 56th Rescue Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, soar through the Scottish skies around RAF Lossiemouth for exercise Joint Warrior 2016. Joint Warrior, a three-week intense air, ground and naval training exercise, is held in the United Kingdom because of its strategic positioning. This prepares the NATO participants for real-world events which strengthens the relationship with allied forces and enhances their capabilities. "What we're getting out of the exercise is a focus on our electronics warfare engagements," said Lt. Col. Bernard Smith, 56th RQS commander. "There's a heavy emphasis on our terminal engagement, weapons patterns and crew coordination, so when we pick up a survivor we protect not only them, but ourselves." The exercise provides the 56th RQS with the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with Marine joint terminal attack controllers from the United States and their foreign equivalents. This training not only strengthens the ties between NATO allied forces, but upholds the order of actions each nation will follow in times of crisis. Participants execute mountain search-and-rescue operations at the Ministry of Defense's air weapons range at RAF Tain in Scotland. This provides the opportunity to train in worldwide combat rescue and reaction force response and extraction, as well as recovery of U.S. and allied combatants in the time of danger or extreme duress. The 56th RQS is highly trained and ready to perform at a moment's notice. Exercises, like Joint Warrior, help prepare the squadron for successful future missions, and ensure they remain rapidly deployable at any given time.