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It comes after a drill simulating an accident involving such material was held, with personnel from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk taking part.

Altogether, 2,500 personnel from the Royal Navy, almost 600 from the RAF, and about 900 from the British Army will take part in the exercises.

They were the RAF's first intercepts since aircraft arrived in the region to begin the defence of Nato's eastern flank, working alongside Sweden.

Commemorations for this year's VE Day will begin on the Early May Bank Holiday on 5 May, with a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace and an RAF flypast over London.

The RAF civil servant recalls having a "really good start" in the race, gaining height alongside two vultures.