Shooting one down over the sea or open countryside is an option if you are pretty certain the aircraft is about to be used for a kamikaze style attack, but not over a major city - the damage and loss of life would be greater than allowing the aircraft to hit its target.

However, as said, if the aircraft only became a suspect while already over London, there is no way it could be intercepted in time. Blair always was a compulsive bull****ter and egomaniac, and this is just another example of it.

This isn't the sort of thing that can be kept under wraps. Is there any way that accessible records can prove he's telling porkies?

PS. I don't believe this either. Constant heading, 35K feet plus. Threat = No. Yes, I know all about the Vincennes. See previous line.

Does anyoen remember the ridicolous spectacle of tanks surrounding the perimeter fence at Heathrow?
I'd love to ask him face to face what that parody was all about.

I do believe the Heathrow incident was a bit of dull thinking. IIRC, there was a heightened threat level in 2003 or 4, and the Met Police deployed mob-handed to LHR. They realised that they were still insufficient in number, so asked for military support, which was granted.

The Household Cavalry in Combermere Bks, Windsor were the obvious choice. HCav (being light recce) are equipped with Scimitar. That's what they deployed with. I would imagine the CO was asked for his support for the security situation at LHR, and saw no problem in taking his vehicles, which were well suited to guarding an airfield. Apparently no-one in the Police higher-ups or government had thought through that the Army were very likely to do a comprehensive job of what was asked of them. Equally, the blue-blooded CO of HCav would have no issue dismissing the rozzers' view of life.

Red faces all round on the part of the fawning civvies, AQ attack on LHR deterred, or was bollox G2 in the first place.

Whippersnapper.

Thanks for the clues to all terrorists reading !

I hope you are aware of other systems employed since then.

If an airliner is going for a prime target ( assuming both old intel' and old countermeasures ), I'm afraid Joe Public comes second, and it would probably have been called an onboard bomb; hopefully not that, just other worries now, of which I am happy to know only a smidgin...

Perhaps he didn't understand the significance of the words "Exercise Exercise Exercise" or just left that out for artistic licence (and to sell more books).:E

Dread to think how much RyanAir would charge in an excess surcharge for your carry on terrorist kit, would probably put them off doing it for life..

All any self respecting terrorist needs to do is add two great red crosses to the side of his plane, after all the Geneva convention prevents aircraft carrying them being fired upon, that was why on the likes of the old JP they were repainted from red to green, so as to be seen to be playing fair in all things warlike. :p

For what its worth, I have a faint recollection of this being aired in public some time ago, but can't remember where or how - Put it this way, when I read the thread I assumed it was common knowledge.

Of course I've also been told by a fish-heads wife that the RN shot down the Air India jet - but that's rubbish too.

With a Sikh-heating missile?

Worst possible taste :=

.... but hilarious. :p

This sort of incident is handled by the Fighter Controllers and an FOI to Boulmer for records of all suspect aircraft that have entered UK airspace might well turn up some info.

The situation does happen and people very senior at whitehall do get phone calls to release aircraft for scrambles against none identified aircraft. Have a look at the boulmer web page

And the next time she tells me 'in complete confidence' glass of wine in hand, then that's what I shall reply..:D

I was night shift at Shanwick. Bu**er all funny about it.:*:*

There can be no disputing that, over the past few years, the RAF has launched many a fighter towards a civilian airliner that has cast doubt. Equally, it is fair to presume that any such launch starts to turn the decision making cogs such that, on occasion, the PM or a nominated deputy gets a phone call.

Speculating beyond that is rather pointless as I would offer that any FOI request would be quickly rebuffed by an OSA response.

So, Range Rat, was there a possibility of an airliner being shot down over London?

As for fighter controllers mucking around in a busy TMA... the carnage would be immense.

Erm The ABMs are responsible for identifying and coordinating the response to all none identified aircraft in UK airspace and Air policing area No. 9 in liason with UK National Air Trafics authorities. It is well covered in the information given about the Branch and trade and is in many open source govt. and military documents. I think that mucking about with aircraft is pretty far from what they do.

How Blair was seconds from ordering RAF to shoot down passenger plane over London
 

Tony Blair's memoirs: Ex-PM almost had passenger plane shot down after 9/11 | Mail Online

He decided to hold back based on "instinct"? :ooh:

Perhaps it was better than deciding to shoot based on "instinct* :ok:

I'm inclined to agree with Heathrow Director - it is difficult to imagine that military controllers would have the experience to handle such an event in London TMA.

Perhaps another responsibility to hand to suitably trained civilian control then?

I am sorry if I have caused any confusion. My second post ha
s been stopped by the moderators. I merely wished to say that as being on duty the night AIC182 blown up with with the loss of 329 lives.I found the posts of two of our members with 19113 posts between them to be of poor taste. I was told if I coudn't take a joke I shouldn't have joined.Most of the dead, I'm sure, didn't join up but I now suppose they did see the funny side eventually. I made no comment on crashing aircraft and security issues. This is my third and last post to Prune . I'm sure I will not be missed and I leave you to yourselves.