The BBC has been given access to a military base in Iraq where UK forces have been working together with their US counterparts during the conflict in the region.
The US announced an extended but fragile ceasefire on the US-Israel war in Iran – but prior to the ceasefire up to 28 drones were fired at the base on a daily basis.
“You hear weapons of destruction going off around you, and it’s bloody difficult,” an RAF air specialist at the base told the BBC’s defence correspondent Jonathan Beale.
British and US forces were working side by side at this military base long before the war with Iran started – in the fight against the Islamic State group.
Sharp differences over the war Iran have certainly strained transatlantic relations. But on this base the two are still joined at the hip.
Armed Forces Minister Al Carns said the close co-operation between the two militaries was a “message that needed to be elevated”. Since the conflict began “We’ve helped move Americans out of harms way; we’ve helped protect them and they’ve helped protect us,” Carns said – though he stressed that British forces were in a “defensive posture”.
Air Chief Marshal, Sir Harvey Smyth, said he’d met with the US commander of the base who’d been “effusive in praise” of UK forces. “I think our relationship is as strong as ever, and this operation has brought us even closer”, he said.
But that certainly hasn’t been reflected in the language between Washington and Westminster.
