RAF Typhoon fighters currently operating as part of 121 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) in Romania have exercised with B-52H bombers from the United States Air Force (USAF).
Two RAF Typhoons currently operating out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania conducted a practice intercept and escorted two USAF B-52H Stratofortress long range bombers that were transiting through Romanian airspace. This training opportunity provided RAF and USAF crews, who regularly work together, the opportunity to test their collective operating procedures.
The RAF’s 121 EAW, currently deployed to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, near Constanta, is responsible until September 2021 for supporting the Romanian Air Force in the protection of its airspace as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission. This defensive mission is shared between NATO allies on a rotational basis.
“Having recently been certified by NATO to carry out our Air Policing mission here in Romania this sortie provided us with a valuable test of our preparedness and is a visible demonstration of our ability to integrate effectively with our NATO allies.”
Wing Commander Lamping
Commanding Officer of 121 EAW
There are four RAF Typhoons currently stationed in Romania that are complementing the Romanian Air Force’s own Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) force. The RAF are experienced in QRA and frequently undertake air intercept duties when flying from their home units in the UK.
