RAF Typhoon fighters currently conducting the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania have carried out interoperability training with two NATO warships in the Black Sea region.
HMS Defender and Dutch ship His/Her Netherlands Majesty's Ship (HNLMS) Evertsen have been detached from the UK Carrier Strike Group 21 that is currently operating in the Mediterranean Sea to carry out the training. The two Destroyers entered the Black Sea to visit the ports of NATO Allies and neighbouring countries and to conduct exercises in the area.
The Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth based IX Squadron are operating from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania and flew out over the Black Sea to meet the ships that as they exercised their freedom of navigation in the area.
The jets then conducted Air Maritime Integration with the warships, and were supported by a French Navy Atlantique long-range maritime patrol aircraft and a RAF E-3D Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.
On their return to base the Typhoons were vectored to carry out a practice intercept of a Romanian MIG-21 LanceR aircraft over Romanian airspace.
“These training sorties provide us with a valuable test of our reach and are a visible demonstration of our commitment to the Alliance and our ability to operate effectively with NATO allies in both the air and maritime domains.”
Wing Commander Stephen Lamping
Commanding Officer of the 121 Expeditionary Air Wing in Romania
The 121 Expeditionary Air Wing is responsible for supporting the Romanian Air Force in the protection of its airspace as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission until September 2021. This NATO defensive mission is shared between NATO Allies on a rotational basis.