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Personnel and aircraft return from Operation BILOXI

Image shows two children waving on the airfield and holding poster.

Personnel and aircraft from 3 (Fighter) Squadron have today returned from Operation BILOXI, the NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania.

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Returning pilots were met upon arrival by members of their families, squadron and station personnel.

Image shows Typhoons flying in formation.

I am extremely proud of, and grateful for, the work carried out by 3 Fighter Squadron, supporting both Romania and our wider NATO allies. We routinely deploy to Eastern Europe on behalf of NATO, but this operation has been more intense, and more significant because of the illegal and continuing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Group Captain Peterson
Station Commander

Image shows young boy holding a poster on the airfield.

The operations in the Black Sea region have seen more than three times the number of sorties than on previous occasions, with a peak of activity in early May.

Image shows Typhoon on the airfield with ground crew.

The pilots have now returned, we look forward to the homecoming of the other squadron personnel, who have been integral to the successful completion of this vital task.

Group Captain Peterson
Station Commander

Image shows Typhoons flying in formation.

The RAF has now handed over the responsibility for the enduring mission in Romania to the Royal Canadian Air Force, who will then in due course pass it to another NATO nation.

Image shows Typhoon on the airfield.

Read more about 3 (F) Squadrons recent activity

Image shows RAF aviators by the open Typhoon cockpit.