Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what safety measures have been implemented to protect (a) pilots and (b) local residents when United States Air Force planes fly over south Lincolnshire.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
All flights by United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft in the airspace over South Lincolnshire are conducted in accordance with UK Military Aviation Authority regulations. There is no requirement to implement specific safety measures for flights by USAF aircraft over South Lincolnshire.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the United States Air Force is accountable for accidents caused by its planes in UK airspace.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Under the Accident Investigation Framework agreed between the UK and the US, the US authorities would be responsible for conducting an investigation into an accident in the UK involving a US military aircraft. The US authorities would liaise with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) during the investigation, and the findings of the investigation would be made available to the MOD.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether her Department plans to facilitate a dialogue between the United States Air Force and local residents on the frequency of flights over south Lincolnshire.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
There are no plans to open a dialogue regarding routine training flights by United States Air Force aircraft over South Lincolnshire, as such flights are conducted in accordance with UK Military Aviation Authority flying regulations.