Typhoons head home, for now
The Royal Air Force fast jets have returned from Lithuania after spending four successful months policing NATO airspace
During their deployment on Op AZOTIZE to Lithuania, the Typhoons conducted 10 scrambles and intercepted 15 Russian military aircraft. Alongside this, they have taken part in a number of exercises with maritime, land and air forces.
Op AZOTIZE is the UK contribution to NATO enhanced Air Policing which forms part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing.
The Typhoon jets, from 6 Squadron, have now handed over their mission to the Italian Air Force.
With the handover, the Italians become the lead nation for the ongoing NATO Baltic Air Policing mission conducted from Siauliai.
The 6 Squadron detachment is made up by other personnel from across the Service to form 135 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), which consists of around 150 personnel that are well equipped and trained to deliver this NATO Air Policing role.
An Expeditionary Air Wing is a combination of teams from across the Royal Air Force which are tailored for overseas operations, to ensure the best success.
Keeping NATO airspace safe is nothing new. For the past decade, as well as keeping UK airspace safe, RAF jets have deployed on air policing missions across Europe.
The air policing mission has two essential elements to it;
- Surveying and examining airspace from the ground, with specialist air surveillance equipment.
- Deploying a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) jet to resolve a threat in NATO airspace.
The deployment as always has been a success. With the airmen and women not only delivering in the mission but mixing with the local communities too, sampling Lithuanian culture and hospitality. They have also raised some much needed funds for worthwhile local charities through sporting events.
Before handing over to the Italians, two of the Typhoons took part in one final exercise. They joined Exercise Allied Skies to escort US Air Force B52 bombers flying across Europe from their temporary base at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.
