Last Updated on April 2, 2026 by allieddispatch | Published: March 28, 2026
By Allied Dispatch UK
OPERATIONS | Middle East Update
In a historic first for the Royal Air Force, four personnel from the RAF Regiment have been officially recognised as “Aces” after successfully shooting down five or more Iranian drones during recent operations in the Middle East.
While the “Ace” title was famously forged by fighter pilots in the World Wars, its adaptation for ground-based gunners marks a major milestone in the evolution of the RAF’s defensive capabilities.
The “Rapid Sentry” Success
Operating under intense pressure and often while at risk, these crack gunners used the Rapid Sentry air defence system to intercept “kamikaze” drones and swarming aerial threats.
- The Technology: The system combines advanced early-warning sensors and electronic warfare with Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to neutralise targets before they can reach British personnel or partner assets.
- The Achievement: To earn the “Ace” title, each of the four personnel had to record at least five confirmed “kills.” Some of these gunners are as young as 18 and were only eight months out of training when they engaged their first targets.
Protecting the Region
The MoD confirmed that these interceptions took place over successive nights, including one massive engagement where 14 drones were downed in a single night—the highest number ever recorded by UK forces in a single incident.
Armed Forces Minister Al Carns praised the crews:
“I am hugely proud of our RAF Regiment. Night after night, under threat, they are protecting British lives and British interests, and doing so in the finest traditions of the RAF Regiment.”
One of the newly minted “Aces” from the RAF Regiment stated:
“Under constant threat, we are responsible for detecting, tracking and engaging targets, often while coming under fire but we continue to load and operate equipment even as missiles land around us.”
This achievement is a powerful reminder that the RAF’s mission to “protect the skies” happens from the ground up.
The transition from the traditional air-to-air “Ace” to the ground-based “Drone Ace” is not just a change in terminology; it is a recognition of the grit and precision required in 21st-century warfare. These gunners are the first of their kind, proving that the heritage of the RAF continues to evolve alongside the threats we face.