RAF
Quick Reaction Alert Intercept Force Celebrates 1st Anniversary
Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) celebrates one year of being at RAF Lossiemouth this week, following one of the busiest periods recorded since its establishment during the Cold War.
Not soon after the base opened this new QRA chapter in its history on the 1st of September, RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled to identify and escort Russian military 'Bear' aircraft in international airspace. The aircraft did not enter UK airspace.
QRA was relocated to RAF Lossiemouth from RAF Leuchars following the last Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) when it was assessed that the Fife air base would cease to be a Royal Air Force fast jet station.
A Typhoon FGR. 4The strategically important position of RAF Lossiemouth on the northern Scottish coastline makes it an ideal location to maintain aircraft and crews on high alert, in order to scramble and intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace. This is the basis of QRA and is a duty that has been maintained by the UK on a 24/7 basis for decades.
RAF Lossiemouth’s Station Commander, Group Captain Mark Chappell, said of the anniversary:
“The past year has shown time and again, that RAF Lossiemouth is in the best position to provide the service that the Royal Air Force was primarily created for – that is, the protection of UK airspace.”
He continued:
“Without the hard work of all station personnel, our continued success in this vitally important role would not be possible. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts over this past year and am sure that the professionalism shown so far will continue for years to come”.
Below is some video of QRA forces using the Eurofighter Typhoon from around the world:
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