USAF Displaced Routing over UK
 

Can any area controllers here explain why the USAF flights currently routing to Germany or the Gulf seem mandated to fly miles out of their way ?

Given they are in a hurry why can they not be given "direct routing" as they leave 56n 10w in the same way as civilian traffic via WAL OR MCT ?

I've noticed numerous movements approach UK airspace North of Belfast having to route way over the Lake District and North Yorkshire.

When civilian traffic exits oceanic airspce its normally asked if it can accept direct rtg

Maybe down to their being OAT working military controllers and procedures rather than GAT flying the airways?

As DD says above, almost certainly operating as OAT and following the TACAN route (TB5 seems described?) system - if that still exists!

Few things.

They won’t be working mil controllers from 56N 10W over the Lake District and North Yorkshire if they are going to the Middle East or Germany. They would get in the way of the civil traffic too much so the civil controllers work them.

There is no mandated way to route to the Middle East or Germany when routing that way. The shortest way, given the present route structure, from 56N 10W to the exit of UK airspace via WAL and MCT is via the Lake District and North Yorkshire. They then route overhead Amsterdam and into Europe.

I’m sure that if civil aircraft are asked if they could accept direct routing then the USAF is asked as well.

Lastly, why does the USAF deserve preferential treatment with better directs in UK airspace than all of the other flights that are also in a hurry? UK atc does its best to give everyone a good service including directs whenever possible. Quite frankly UK atc does not give two hoots about the USAF being in a hurry.

Not knowing the specific routing or details of each flight, however it may have something to do with the arrangements between Ireland and the US for over flights of military aircraft.

No US military aircraft can enter Irish airspace without a prior request and approval (Ireland being a netural/non-aligned country) and the aircraft must meet certain stated conditions (e.g. not armed or carrying arms).

Perhaps given the current situation on the Gulf, the US has decided to not make declarations regarding any military aircraft on T/A tracks so they are all being pushed north to avoid Irish airspace and the UK is keeping then from poulation centres.

JAS