Saturday 12 Sep 2015 @ 09:10
Ministry of Defence
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RAF Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft near UK airspace

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have flown from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept Russian 'Blackjack' aircraft flying in international air space.

RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) fighter aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland last Thursday to meet two Russian aircraft.

The Typhoon pilots visually identified the two Russian aircraft and escorted them whilst in the UK area of interest. Air to air refuelling (AAR) support was provided by an RAF Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.

Squadron Leader Jim Calvert of II(AC) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth flew one of the RAF Typhoons involved in the mission. He said:

Given the Royal Air Force’s enduring commitment to secure the UK’s skies, yesterday’s sortie once again proved Typhoon’s capability to successfully scramble and intercept Russian long-range aviation.

Protecting our skies is especially poignant in this 75th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain. Working together with ground-based radar and air-to-air refuelling aircraft today’s RAF continues to come together as a team to protect our country.

Sky News will show a documentary on the QRA capability this Sunday (13th September).

Channel website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence

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