RAF Typhoon fighters currently carrying out the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania have carried out a successful practice intercept of United States Air Force B-52H bombers.
The RAF Typhoons are operating from Mihail Kog?lniceanu Air Base in Romania and carried out the practice scramble to intercept the two United States Air Force B-52H Stratofortress long range bombers that were transiting through Romanian airspace.
“It was a successful mission and it was great to exercise with our allies in the region. These training sorties provide us with a valuable test of our preparedness and is a visible demonstration of our ability to integrate effectively with our NATO allies.”
Wing Commander Batt
Officer Commanding IX (Bomber) Squadron
The RAF has four Typhoons currently stationed in Romania that are complementing the Romanian Air Force’s own Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) force. Romania is equipped with MiG -21LanceR and the American built F-16 aircraft.
The RAF are experienced in QRA and frequently undertake air intercept duties when flying from their home units in the UK. This training opportunity provided RAF and United States Air Force crews, who regularly work together, the opportunity to test their collective operating procedures.
The RAF’s 121 Expeditionary Air Wing, currently deployed to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, near Constanta, is responsible until September 2021 for supporting the Romanian Air Force in the protection of its airspace as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission. This NATO defensive mission is shared between NATO allies on a rotational basis.
