Thread by @RAFLossiemouth

Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons from #TeamLossie, along with QRA from our @NATO allies launched today to intercept two Russian Tu-142 'BEAR-F' aircraft that approached the UK and NATO's area of interest.

Here's what you need to know in our QRA mega-thread 👇

#QRA 1/14

🚨 Unidentified aircraft were detected as they approached @NATO's area of interest.

Norwegian QRA scrambled F-16s to intercept. They ID'd two Russian Tu-142s.

#TeamLossie QRA Typhoons scrambled soon after as the Tu-142s tracked south towards the North Sea.

#QRA 2/14

The Russian BEAR-F operated around the North Sea for some time, before returning north. They were met by Norwegian F-35s, who continued shadowing them until they left @NATO's area of interest.

#QRA 3/14

Why were they intercepted?

Russian long-range aviation rarely talk to UK Air Traffic Control, posing a hazard to other air users.

They often operate around civilian air routes, meaning ATC have to re-route traffic to maintain separation.

#QRA 4/14

Russian LRA rarely 'squawk'. Squawking means broadcasting an identity code which also shows an aircraft's location & altitude.

Squawking would make them visible to other air users and air traffic controllers.

#QRA 5/14

It's important we monitor Russian activity, particularly when it's occurring within the UK and @NATO's areas of interest.

This provides us with valuable insight as to how & why they operate.

Our activity demonstrates our resolve as a Nation & collectively as @NATO.

#QRA 6/14

What is a Russian Tu-142 BEAR-F?

It's a Maritime Recon / Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft, operating in a similar way to our @P8A_PoseidonRAF.

Tu-142s can drop sonobuoys to detect & track subs. They can also be fitted with torpedoes, depth charges, and mines.

#QRA 7/14

Some of the other units involved:

🇬🇧 #TeamLossie - QRA Typhoons, technicians, air traffic controllers, & other support elements.
🇬🇧 @RAFBrizeNorton - Voyagers providing Air-to-Air Refuelling for our Typhoons.

#QRA 8/14

🇬🇧 @RAFBoulmer - the Control & Reporting Centre, which monitors all aircraft in UK skies & controls our Typhoons, relaying orders from:
🇬🇧 @RAFHighWycombe - the National Air and Space Operations Centre, which commands air and ground units associated with the scramble.

#QRA 9/14

🇬🇧 @RAFSwanwick / @NATS (National Air Traffic Service) - who provide air traffic control services for the UK, including our Typhoons and Voyager aircraft, and help re-route civilian traffic in and around UK airspace as required.

#QRA 10/14

🇳🇴 Royal Norwegian Air Force - who scrambled their F-16s and F-35s. Their Control & Reporting Centre also controlled our Typhoons during their intercept.
🇩🇪 Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem - based in Germany, the @NATO CAOC coordinated much of today's activity.

#QRA 11/14

🇩🇪 @NATO @E3AComponent - based out of Geilenkirchen in Germany, the Airborne Early Warning aircraft were operating just west of the Shetlands.

They briefly controlled Norwegian QRA during the incident.

#QRA 12/14

This truly was a team effort, and shows how units from across @NATO can quickly respond to any potential threats to Alliance airspace.

#TeamLossie stands ready alongside its colleagues from across NATO, in our enduring mission of #SecuringTheSkies.

#WeAreNATO #QRA 13/14

Just yesterday, #TeamLossie Typhoons from 6 Squadron deployed to Lithuania to begin their @NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.

Today's scramble to Russian activity is similar to what our pilots will likely be responding to in the Baltic region very soon.

#WeAreNATO #QRA 14/14