Another day at the office for the QRA folks.
RAF fighter jets scrambled 'to intercept Russian planes heading for UK', Ministry of Defence confirms
Francesca Gillett
The Evening Standard
RAF fighter jets have taken off from Scotland to intercept Russian jets approaching UK airspace.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed to the Standard that Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth were scrambled on Monday morning.
The MoD added it is a “live operation” and will not comment further until the mission is complete.
Voyager refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton [looks like ZZ334 with callsign MAD 715 is one - Airbubba] is also supporting the Typhoons.
A spokesman for the RAF said: “We can confirm that quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth scrambled this morning.
“This is a live operation and therefore we will not be providing any additional information until the mission is complete."
The MoD said it could not confirm how many RAF aircraft had been sent because of operation security reasons.
RAF Lossiemouth in north east Scotland is primarily used as a base for Quick Reaction Alert, where pilots are on duty 24 hours a day and ready at a moment's notice.
The incident on Monday follows a string of stand-offs in recent months between the RAF and Russian Air Force.
In December, two Typhoon planes armed with missiles intercepted the Prime Minister's plane on its way home from Cyprus as part of a training exercise.
In September last year, two RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled to monitor a pair of Russian military planes flying towards UK airspace while in July two jets based in Romania were sent to Russian aircraft near NATO airspace in the Black Sea.
In January 2017 Typhoons also monitored a Russian aircraft carrier as it sailed through UK waters.
Typhoons are combat aircraft used in air policing and high-intensity conflict.
They are often scrambled to police and intercept unidentified foreign planes illegally entering British airspace.
RAF Lossiemouth in north east Scotland is primarily used as a base for Quick Reaction Alert, where pilots are on duty 24 hours a day and ready at a moment's notice.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/r...-a3740051.html