RAF Typhoons Scrambled In Lithuania To Intercept Aircraft

Photo RAF

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets deployed to Lithuania on a NATO policing mission have carried out their first intercept of the operation, on a Russian Military Aircraft off the Baltic coast. The Typhoons launched on 2nd June 2020 to intercept a Russian IL-20 COOT Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft operating over the Baltic Sea.

A Typhoon pilot from 6 Squadron, attached to 135 Expeditionary Air Wing, was on Quick Reaction Alert duty when the scramble was called. He said: “The scramble was called to intercept a Russian IL-20 COOT ISR aircraft. The initial scramble was a real shot of adrenaline, but once airborne it was important to remain calm and professional and make the intercept as expeditious as possible to ensure we maintained both the safety and integrity of NATO airspace. This is what all of our training is designed to prepare us for however, at the end of the day it’s just my job.”

This intercept is part of the routine NATO Air Policing mission that has been conducted to police the skies since 2004. The current RAF mission began on the 1 May when 135 EAW took over the enhanced Air Policing role working alongside the Spanish Air Force detachment at Siauliau Air Base.

Russian IL-20 COOT  Photo RAF

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RAF Typhoons rush to intercept Russian maritime patrol bombers

RAF quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth on Wednesday to monitor two Tu-142 ‘BEAR-F’ Maritime Patrol aircraft while they operated in the UK’s area of interest.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston said: “These Russian bombers are relics of the Cold War, do not comply with international air traffic regulations and are a hazard to civilian and military aircraft. Despite the global pandemic, the Royal Air Force and our allies continue to ensure Russian military flights pose no threat to NATO and UK airspace.”

One of the Quick Reaction Alert pilots from RAF Lossiemouth, who intercepted the Russian Bears, said:

“Today’s scramble demonstrated the close working relationships we have with our NATO colleagues. After scrambling to intercept the two Russian aircraft,, we were in close contact with Battlespace Managers from the RAF and Norway, who directed us towards the aircraft and relayed orders throughout, ensuring we could confirm where they were and what they were doing at all times”

"This morning, two Russian Tu-142 ‘BEAR-F’ aircraft approached from the North East and flew in international airspace over the Norwegian and North Seas. At no point did the Russian aircraft enter UK sovereign airspace."

Royal Air Force Typhoons Have Flown To Lithuania To Begin The Latest Nato Baltic Air Policing Mission

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets, based at RAF Lossiemouth, have today left for Lithuania to begin the UK’s latest NATO Air Policing mission.

The 6 Squadron aircraft are deploying to Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania where they will carry out the Baltic Air Policing mission for the summer, along with the Spanish Air Force, who will be deploying F-18 fighters. This is a core UK defence task that the RAF is able to continue in addition to supporting the NHS, and other Government departments during the current COVID-19 Pandemic.

A busy week for the RAF, operating across the globe

A busy week for the RAF, operating across the globe

The UK's RAF has completed a busy week at home, in the air and overseas, working alongside allies and other government departments.

Since the 5th of March, RAF personnel from a number of stations have been based at RAF Leeming undergoing a vigorous NATO evaluation designed to test the RAF’s ability to conduct NATO operations.  That testing culminated today with a pass from the NATO examiners.  The pass confirms that the RAF remains ready to support NATO for operational commitments.

Simultaneously, the RAF has scrambled aircraft to conduct Air Policing missions three times in six days to intercept Russian aircraft flying in the UK’s Flight Information Region.

Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby, supported by Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft and coordinated by battle managers at the National Air and Space Operations Centre at RAF High Wycombe and the Air Surveillance and Control System at RAF Boulmer, intercepted and shadowed Russian Bear and Blackjack aircraft.

RAF Typhoons Demonstrate Breadth and Scale of NATO Air Policing Mission

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters have taken part in a demonstration of the breadth and scale of the NATO Air Policing mission.

The NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Policing peacetime mission is designed to ensures the integrity of Allies’ airspace and to protect Alliance nations by maintaining constant surveillance of NATO airspace. When necessary fast jets will be scrambled in response to military and civilian aircraft in distress or which are not following international flight regulations.

Iceland thanks the UK's RAF for its part in NATO policing mission.

Four Typhoon jet fighters have left Iceland as the Royal Air Force completed its first NATO Air Policing mission in the country.

his has been the first time since World War II that an RAF fighter squadron has been based in Iceland, close to the Arctic Circle. The RAF deployment formed part of the ongoing Air Policing mission that NATO conducts at the request of Iceland, a country five times the size of Wales but with a population of just 360,000 and no military force. Leading the 129 deployed RAF regular and reserve personnel has been Wing Commander Mark Baker from 1(Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

“We've achieved the mission, first and foremost, ensuring the integrity of NATO airspace. I think we've also developed some excellent relationships with the people of Iceland.” Said Wing Commander Mark Baker, 1(Fighter) Squadron.

RAF Typhoons from Amari Air Base forced to scramble and intercept Russian Jet

The UK's Royal Air Force has confirmed that Typhoon fighter jets operating from Ämari Air Base in Estonia launched on Sunday 28th July to intercept a Russian IL-76 military transport aircraft that was flying close to Estonian airspace.

Photo RAF

This is a routine NATO mission for the Typhoons which provides reassurance that the UK is here to work in partnership with Estonia.

The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said: “As this latest Quick Reaction Alert demonstrates, the RAF is frequently called upon to use their world class skills and capabilities to help police and protect the skies over the Baltics.

“Our personnel deployed to Estonia and around the world are always ready to react to any scenario as we continue our commitment to our NATO allies.”