For the next four months the RAF fighter jets from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, and roughly 200 personnel, will carry out enhanced air policing missions under NATO command alongside the Romanian Air Force.
“This will be the RAF’s fifth eAP rotation in Romania, having completed the first iteration in 2014” said Wing Commander Karl Bird, Commanding Officer of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing. “The missions contribute to the development of the reaction and deterrence capacity and is a strong sign of the Alliance’s cohesion. Ensuring NATO is ready to secure the skies 24/7,” he added.
The deployment of the multi-role combat aircraft to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Force Base will assist with the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions until August 2024, to respond to current security challenges.
Enhanced Air Policing deployments are planned in advance and rotate between NATO Allied Air Forces, they ensure collective deterrence and defence protecting and securing the integrity of NATO’s airspace.