RAF Brize Norton News

Air Mobility Force Support Nato Air Policing Mission

The Royal Air Force’s Air Mobility Force has been supporting the UK’s pre-planned NATO Air Policing mission in Romania.

Two Typhoon’s pictured departing for their NATO Air Policing mission in Romania.
Two Typhoon’s pictured departing for their NATO Air Policing mission in Romania.

With its mixed fleet of aircraft based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, the Air Mobility Force have been deploying vital equipment and personnel required by the Typhoon Force on Operation BILOXI, the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission in the Black Sea region. The deployment boosts the national Air Policing conducted by the Romanian Air Force as part of the NATO collective air defence system.

Pictured, an A400M Atlas which provided support to the deployment of 121 EAW.
Pictured, an A400M Atlas which provided support to the deployment of 121 EAW.

Utilising the long range, heavy-lift capabilities of the C-17 Globemaster and A400M Atlas to transport over 150 personnel and more than 88 Tonnes of freight for the detachment; has played a crucial role within the deployment of 121 Expeditionary Air Wing (121 EAW).

The Voyager A330 operated by Numbers 10 and 101 Squadrons have also been instrumental in the Typhoon detachment to Romania. Providing vital Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) support, transferring 21,500 litres of fuel during the near seven-hour sortie for the four Typhoons, from their home of RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland while escorting the jets into Polish airspace and onto Constanta, Romania.  

The C-17 Globemaster along with the A400M Atlas were utilised to transport over 150 personnel and more than 88 Tonnes of freight ahead of the Typhoon deployment.
The C-17 Globemaster along with the A400M Atlas were utilised to transport over 150 personnel and more than 88 Tonnes of freight ahead of the Typhoon deployment.

Air Commodore David Manning, Air Mobility Force Commander commented:

“The recent deployment of 121 EAW and Typhoon aircraft to Operation BILOXI in support of NATO Air Policing role clearly demonstrates the versatility and choice that the Air Mobility Force offers the RAF in delivering air power globally at speed. I feel very proud that our Whole Force has continued to deliver global support to both Defence and wider Government throughout the COVID Pandemic in a safe and efficient manner. We will continue to sustain the Operation BILOXI requirement, among the very many other Operations that we support, and when ready will redeploy personnel and equipment back to the UK.”

Air Commodore David Manning
Air Mobility Force Commander

The Voyager escorted the four Typhoons during their near seven-hour sortie from RAF Lossiemouth to Romania, transferring 21,500 litres of fuel enroute.
The Voyager escorted the four Typhoons during their near seven-hour sortie from RAF Lossiemouth to Romania, transferring 21,500 litres of fuel enroute.

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

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