Iceland's volcanic ash halts Europe flights on tailwind of Mildenhall exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (AFNS) --  Aircraft were grounded as volcanic ash from an Iceland volcano eruption moved closer to the base April 15 here.

No determination has been made whether or not refueling missions in support of the Brilliant Ardent and Frisian Flag exercises will resume April 16.

London's Heathrow Airport also suspended their flights for the rest of the day April 16. The same goes for civilian flights across most of Northern Europe.

"We are scheduled to resume supporting the NATO exercises Brilliant Ardent and Frisian Flag (April 16) provided weather is suitable for flight," said Capt. Sarah Cook, the 351st Air Refueling Squadron scheduler.

Brilliant Ardent, a large-scale NATO response force air live exercise hosted by German officials April 12 through 22.