Yesterday as we were preparing to welcome two more @P8A_PoseidonRAF sub-hunters, our Quick Reaction Alert crews were busy #SecuringTheSkies of the United Kingdom & @NATO airspace.

This #MegaThread will explain what happened, and why it's so important we scrambled.

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Live-armed Typhoons were scrambled early Wednesday morning from Leuchars Station in Fife to intercept two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack bombers operating near UK and @NATO airspace.

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The two Blackjacks were detected by @NATO air defence radars.

@Luftforsvaret Quick Reaction Alert F-16s scrambled out of Bodø Airbase, intercepting and visually identifying the Russian aircraft.

The two Blackjacks were shadowed as they continued south.

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@RoyalAirForce QRA Typhoons launched from their temporary home at Leuchars Station.

The Control & Reporting Centre at @RAFScampton routed them directly towards the Tu-160 Blackjacks so that we could take over the mission from our Norwegian allies.

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Air to air refuelling from a @RoyalAirForce Voyager based at @RAFBrizeNorton ensured our Typhoons were on task until mission completion.

The two Blackjacks routed north away from the UK’s area of interest, with @Luftforsvaret F-16s taking over the @NATO mission.

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While the two Russian military aircraft were operating in international airspace, they entered the UK Flight Information Region.

All aircraft in this portion of airspace are expected to communicate with air traffic controllers for flight safety purposes.

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Russian military aircraft often fail to communicate with ATC, while operating at the same altitude as civilian airliners and crossing through recognised flight routes.

They often don’t squawk, which would broadcast the aircraft’s position, altitude, and intent.

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Once @RoyalAirForce Typhoons intercept Russian military aircraft near UK airspace, controllers from @NATS and @RAFSwanwick are able to re-route civilian aircraft, preventing these Russian military aircraft from being a hazard to other air users.

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The Blackjack bombers returned north where they were handed back over to @Luftforsvaret Quick Reaction Alert F-16s, and the two live-armed Typhoons returned to their permanent home of RAF Lossiemouth for the first time in three months.

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QRA temporarily relocated to Leuchars Station at the end of July while the intersection of the two runways at RAF Lossiemouth was resurfaced.

The first Typhoon touched down on the new surfaces this Monday, followed on Tuesday by one of the RAF’s first Poseidon MRA1.

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By the end of this week, #TeamLossie will have Typhoons and Poseidon on home turf, #SecuringTheSkies and #SecuringTheSeas over and around the United Kingdom .

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RAF Lossiemouth will become one of the most active Stations in the UK, responsible for Quick Reaction Alert and Maritime Patrol operations.

Any questions about this Quick Reaction Alert mission?
Ask below... If we can answer them we will!

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