During the ceremony, they honored 97 members of the Royal Australian Air Force and 23 from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This gathering not only commemorated sacrifices made during past wars but also served as a reminder of the challenges faced by modern military forces.

That context matters because it places these commemorations against a backdrop of current military operations. For instance, an F-15E Strike Eagle at RAF Lakenheath was painted to honor the 40th anniversary of Operation El Dorado Canyon—an airstrike response to a terrorist attack in West Berlin.

Meanwhile, RAF troops have been actively engaged in intercepting threats in the Middle East. They intercepted over 100 Iranian drones and missiles at a coalition base during a six-week conflict. On average, this base faced attacks from 28 drones and missiles daily, showcasing the intensity of the ongoing situation.

This engagement is crucial not just for operational security but also for demonstrating the UK’s commitment to countering threats from groups like ISIS and state actors such as Iran. It raises an important question: How do these operations relate to historical sacrifices? The answer lies in understanding that today’s military efforts are built upon lessons learned from past conflicts.

The Ministry of Defence is currently discussing expanding the UK’s counter-drone capabilities, indicating a proactive approach to evolving threats. Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth confirmed that enhancing these capabilities is indeed part of ongoing discussions.

As Wing Commander David Buckingham stated, “It was an honour to represent Royal Air Force Leeming at the Anzac Day Ceremony.” His words resonate with those who understand both the weight of history and the necessity of current military readiness.

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At the ceremony, RAF Leeming personnel paid tribute to the sacrifices made by 97 Royal Australian Air Force and 23 Royal New Zealand Air Force servicemen. Wing Commander David Buckingham expressed pride in representing his unit during these solemn events.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Operation El Dorado Canyon, a significant military response to the bombing of the La Belle discotheque in West Berlin. To commemorate this milestone, an F-15E Strike Eagle at RAF Lakenheath was painted with special markings.

The context matters because it illustrates how historical events continue to shape current military operations. Recently, RAF troops intercepted more than 100 Iranian drones and missiles at a coalition base in Iraq amid ongoing tensions linked to Iran.

The conflict escalated significantly, as the coalition base faced daily attacks from an average of 28 drones and missiles. These interceptions highlight the vital role of RAF operations in safeguarding allied forces.

The Ministry of Defence is currently discussing plans to expand the UK’s counter-drone capabilities. Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth confirmed that enhancing these capabilities is a priority for ensuring operational security.

This dual focus on remembrance and operational readiness illustrates a complex narrative: how military history informs present-day actions. As Al Carns noted regarding the drone interceptions, “The base would probably be a smouldering wreck if it wasn’t for you guys.”

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As the third day of military operations against Iran comes to a close, the Qatari Ministry of Defense has reported that the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) successfully downed two Iranian Su-24 Fencer tactical bombers on March 2, 2026. These are the first Iranian aircraft confirmed to have been destroyed since the conflict began.

Qatar Air Force Intercepts Aircraft

Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense reports that the QEAF successfully intercepted seven ballistic missiles using air defense systems, while five drones were downed by the QEAF in conjunction with the Qatar Emiri Navy Forces. Earlier that same day, the Ministry revealed that two drones had targeted a power plant in Mesaieed and an energy facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City, with the extent of the damage still to be evaluated.

The specific assets utilized to intercept the two Su-24s, including missiles and drones, remain ambiguous. While air defenses were explicitly referenced concerning the ballistic missiles, this suggests that fighter aircraft could also have played a role.

The QEAF operates a trio of distinct fighter aircraft: the F-15QA Ababil, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Dassault Rafale. Additionally, it is important to mention that the service manages the nation’s surface-to-air missile systems, which encompass both Patriot and NASAMS systems.

Details of Military Operations

QEAF utilizes F-15QA, Rafale, and Typhoon aircraft. Eagle brothers, we may possibly be looking at… 106-0???

📸: Ashley Wallace https://t.co/huix1puNiQ pic.twitter.com/Jv4q3OsWfi — Doha (@Doha1389960) March 2, 2026

If the F-15QA had been the aircraft chosen to engage the Su-24s, the F-15’s combat record would further improve, achieving an impressive 106-0 in air-to-air victories. It’s worth mentioning that F-15QAs have been operational since the onset of the assault on Iran, with at least one being tracked on flight monitoring platforms.

Ballistic Missile Interception

More than 50,000 individuals are currently monitoring this F-15QA Ababil from the Qatar Emiri Air Force pic.twitter.com/PUqfh1awnM — RivetJoint (@SpeckleBelly64) March 1, 2026

Another asset that has been actively conducting air defense operations in recent days, and may have been utilized against the Su-24s, is the Eurofighter Typhoon. Additionally, on March 1, a Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 fighter, part of the joint British-Qatari No. 12 squadron, successfully shot down an Iranian drone approaching Qatar using an air-to-air missile.

On March 1, 2026, a Typhoon from the Royal Air Force, deployed in Qatar as part of the collaborative UK–Qatar Typhoon Squadron, successfully intercepted an Iranian drone that was approaching Qatar. pic.twitter.com/1WQTRk61gN — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ)

Drone Engagement Successes

No specifics were provided regarding the purpose of Iranian Su-24s flying toward Qatar. Previously, Iranian state media asserted that the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force would deploy F-4E Phantom II fighter jets and other aircraft to target U.S. bases in the area as an act of retaliation.

Day three

On the third day of Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion, several significant advancements have emerged.

The initial report of the day highlighted the loss of three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle jets over Kuwait. Footage surfaced online depicting one of the aircraft being struck by an explosion, causing it to spiral downwards.

All six members of the crew successfully ejected and have been rescued. CENTCOM reports that the aircraft were lost due to what appears to be a friendly fire incident, which is currently under investigation.

At 11:03 p.m. ET on March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles engaged in Operation Epic Fury crashed in Kuwait due to what appears to be a friendly fire incident. For further details, visit: https://t.co/i2y3Q3vo2E — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

Several hours later, CENTCOM confirmed that B-1B Lancer strategic bombers were deployed against targets in Iran during the night of March 1 to 2. Enthusiasts quietly monitored the movements, revealing that three bombers participated in a round-trip mission while returning to the U.S.

Today is your fortunate day; I’m capturing many fantastic images.

A different clear image of the #USAF 🇺🇸 Reaper flying over Shiraz, #Fars Province, #Iran [Once more: feel free to use my media in any way you wish, but, PLEASE AVOID WATERMARKING THEM] pic.twitter.com/mZTD22rlSz — Shin (@hey_itsmyturn) March 2, 2026

Interestingly, one of the MQ-9 drones has been observed utilizing air-to-ground missiles – either AGM-114 Hellfires or AGM-179 JAGMs – targeting unidentified objectives. Potential targets may include ballistic missile launchers, which are currently being actively pursued.

The video showcases the visible trail of the boost phase. pic.twitter.com/SyssGQxaC0 — Colby Badhwar 🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@ColbyBadhwar) March 1, 2026

Another potential target might be Iran’s arsenal of one-way assault drones. A video depicting the destruction of two Su-22 Fitter aircraft on the ground also appears to show a Hellfire missile hitting Shahed drones sheltered nearby.

U.S. military forces are taking decisive measures to neutralize immediate threats from the Iranian regime. Operations are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/z1x07D7APl — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

In discussions regarding drones, footage surfaced online suggesting a potential new sighting of Israel’s covert RA-01 drone. Nevertheless, a detailed examination reveals that the aircraft is likely an Israeli Orbiter 5, which bears a comparable design.

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