RAF Typhoons arrive In Romania for NATO Air Policing Mission

April 24, 2021 Tactica

ROYAL Air Force Typhoon jets, based at RAF Lossiemouth, have arrived in Romania to begin the UK’s pre-planned NATO Air Policing mission.

Royal Air Force Typhoons of No. IX(B) Squadron depart RAF Lossiemouth enroute to Romania for Op BILOXI, 22nd Apr 2021.

Four Typhoons from IX(B) Squadron flew into Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase on the Black Sea coast near Constanta, Romania where they will carry out the NATO enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission for this summer’s deployment. The mission enhances the national Air Policing conducted by the Romanian Air Force as part of the NATO collective air defence system.

Op BILOXI is the RAFs contribution to the NATO enhanced Southern Air Policing mission. From May on, the IX(B) Sqn Typhoons will continue the mission whilst deployed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base alongside the Romanian Air Force. OPERATION BILOXI is the United Kingdom’s contribution to NATO’s Southern Air Policing. Based at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase, the RAF operate Typhoon aircraft for Quick Reaction Alert in support of the Romanian Air Force.

Wing Commander Lamping is the Commanding Officer of 121 Expeditionary Air Wing; the unit that arrived in Romania ahead of the Typhoon and is responsible for operating the RAF aircraft. He said: “This pre-planned deployment is the latest RAF contribution to NATO Air Policing. We have returned to Romania to reassure our allies that the UK is fully committed to working alongside our NATO partners to secure the Alliance’s skies.

IX(B) Sqn are no strangers to air policing duties as they form part of RAF Lossiemouths Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) force ensuring the integrity and safety of UK airspace.

“This defensive Air Policing mission in the Black Sea region is very similar to UK Quick Reaction Alert, so the pilots and supporting personnel are experienced operators when it comes to delivering NATO Air Policing. Despite the difficult circumstances caused by COVID-19 we are well prepared and ready to deliver the mission.”

The mission enhances the national Air Policing conducted by the Romanian Air Force as part of the NATO collective air defence system.

The IX(B) Squadron detachment is augmented by other personnel from across the Service to form 121 EAW, which consists of around 180 personnel who will be well equipped and trained to deliver this NATO enhanced Air Policing role.

Four Typhoons from IX(B) Squadron flew into Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase on the Black Sea coast near Constanta, Romania where they will carry out the NATO enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission for this summers deployment.

This RAF deployment is the third time the United Kingdom has deployed on this Air Policing mission, with previous missions in 2017 and 2018. During the deployment the RAF will be demonstrating NATO’s collective resolve and assurance for our eastern allies, as well as showing that the United Kingdom remains a leading NATO member that is committed to NATO operations.

RAF Eurofighter Typhoons arrive at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport for the start of Operation BILOXI.

121 EAW has deployed to conduct this important NATO mission despite the COVID-19 pandemic and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that both UK and Romanian mandated precautions are being followed.

Codenamed Operation BILOXI the RAF Typhoon FGR4 aircraft from Number IX(Bomber) Squadron will conduct the Air Policing mission to monitor the airspace around Romania to demonstrate the UK’s resolve and commitment to NATO and provide reassurance to its Allies in the region. OP BILOXI is the UK contribution to NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) which is part of the NATO Assurance Measures first introduced in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea by Russia. With this enhanced capability, NATO has demonstrated its collective resolve to deterrence and defence specifically to its Allies on the eastern flank of the Alliance.

Shown are three of the four RAF Eurofighter Typhoons that arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport for the start of Operation BILOXI. Four Typhoons from IX(B) Squadron flew into Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase on the Black Sea coast near Constanta, Romania where they will carry out the NATO enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission for this summers deployment. The mission enhances the national Air Policing conducted by the Romanian Air Force as part of the NATO collective air defence system. OPERATION BILOXI is the United Kingdom’s contribution to NATO’s Southern Air Policing. Based at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase, the RAF operate Typhoon aircraft for Quick Reaction Alert in support of the Romanian Air Force.

The Typhoons supporting Op BILOXI are from Number IX(Bomber) Squadron which is based at RAF Lossiemouth, one of the two QRA stations in the UK and one of the first fixed-serving units of the Royal Flying Corps. Aircraft that have flown from the base have included the Spitfire XI, Phantom and the Tornado GR1A.

Alongside its NATO Allies the UK provides Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) assistance to the Romanian Air Force’s own fleet of fast-jet aircraft. Romania is equipped with MiG -21LanceR and the American built F-16 aircraft.