Nato pilots train to intercept Russian aircraft in Quick Reaction Alert drills
Romanian Carpathian Vipers have been taking part in reaction drills to intercept Russian aircraft as part of Nato Baltic Air Policing.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, pilots from Romania, Lithuania and Great Britain have been tasked with intercepting Russian jets that enter Nato airspace.
All pilots are prepared to react to QRAs (Quick Reaction Alert) which is a state of readiness and modus operandi of air defence maintained at all times.
Assisted by the RAF's Typhoons FGR4 aircraft, the Vipers' F-15 Fighting Falcons have been training to be ready at any moment to intercept Russian jets.
Colonel Mihaita Marin, deputy commander of the Romanian Carpathian Vipers Squadron, said: "You cannot be prepared enough for the moment that the siren goes on."
During the training, daily scramble exercises test Quick Reaction Alert procedures – what to do when Russian aircraft are spotted close to Nato airspace, incidents that are increasingly common as the war in Ukraine rages on.
"It can be at 3 o'clock in the morning or when you are having lunch," Col Marin continues. "There is just that moment of that adrenaline, especially because you don't know what the mission is going to be. It is always surprising.
The Romanian jets are in Lithuania as part of Nato's Baltic Air Policing, with the pilots always expecting the unexpected.
"As soon as we identify them, we try and contact them by radio, there are visual signals. Then most things should stop.
"Sometimes we do have behaviours that might become dangerous so we must be prepared for that. Our main mission is not to escalate anything," he added.
The work being carried out by Nato Baltic Air Policing has been supported by the European Air Transport Command, with the operation described as a 24/7 all-year-round effort.
Aircraft on the exercise have been refuelled by Airbus A3 multi-role tankers which increases the length of time fighters can stay in the air.
Join Our Newsletter
