Bear hunting
All this Hoo Hah about what used to be almost daily - or at least weekly routine, and the inability of the media to match pictures to stories reminds me of an incident from the days of yore.
In the late 60s, the Fleet (yes we still had one then as opposed to our current Flotilla) were engaged in a major exercise - "Silver Tower" as I recall. When the Bears kindly provided the daily intruder they were intercepted by organic air from the Carrier (An F4, not a plastic Jump Jet thingy!).
The Navy PRO at a certain HQ close to Watford was delighted. What a coup for Navy vs RAF rivalry! However, no photos of the intercept were available so he "Photo shopped" one by cutting a picture of a Navy F4 out of Janes and sticking it onto an old pic of a Bear. Computers in those days filled a room!
The composite pic was duly printed in the press and the stick on F4 was immediately spotted by the RAF PRO who contacted the press to point out the skullduggery of the RN. RN PRO then had to admit to releasing doctored photos to the press and issue apology.
Cause of great leg pulling of Dark Blue by Light Blue at Joint HQ and another point in the RAF's favour!
Let's hope the Ruskies are struggling as hard as we are with cuts and funding.
If not, and they start making regular visits to the UK ADR again we may be pushed to find a servicable Jet to meet them. Do we still have a tanker available for Q or the ability to escort an intruder for a couple of hours?