NATO Baltic Air Policing mission is quite busy these days….
According to the Latvian military, on Oct. 28, the German Air Force Eurofighter jets on QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) at Amari, Estonia, to provide NATO Baltic Air Policing were scrambled to intercept seven Russian Air Force planes flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
The German interceptors identified the Russian planes as a large package, made of attack planes and escort, which included 2x MiG-31 Foxhound, 2x Su-34 Fullback, 1x Su-27 Flanker and 2x Su-24 Fencer jets.
Regardless to whether the Russian aircraft were involved in one of the frequent training missions in the Baltics or were commuting to/from the Russian airfield in Kaliningrad oblast, the package on Oct 28 represents one of the largest “formations” intercepted by NATO fighter planes during the last couple of years.
Usually, close encounters involve Russian, Swedish or U.S. spyplanes intercepted before (or after) violating sovereign airspaces. Sometimes, scrambles are required to greet Moscow’s Tu-22 or Tu-95 bombers on long-range training patrols or strike packages involved in (alleged) simulated air strikes on one of North Europe’s states (usually, Sweden).
Anyway, Russian Air Force missions in the Baltic area have surged, to such an extent NATO presence has quadrupled in the last year: from one nation providing four aircraft in QRA at one base in Lithuania (Šiauliai), to four nations (currently Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Canada) at two airbases (the second being Amari, in Estonia).
Image credit: Eurofighter – Geoffrey Lee, Planefocus Ltd
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I don’t understand if the Ruskies were in ‘ international airspace” how was that a problem?
We fly in iternational airspace.
I think it’s the 47th Amendment: ” ‘International Airspace’ = U.S. AIrspace”
Viewed from the perspective of Russia’s recent transgressions, its a very troubling pattern.
Russia is a military threat to the world. It may be time to just squish them like a bug. However, their antagonist, George Soros & Sons, should be squished first with that squishing blamed on Putin no matter who accomplishes the squishing.
America is a military threat to the world. There, fixed it for you.
Your ignorance is duly noted.
Hmmm 17 litterdtop and 17 Allah_speaking..i will ad my vote
Oops I think you meant the United States is the benefactor of the world, the bank of the world, the doctor of the world, the technologists of the world, the innovators if the world, the economic engine of the world, the hope of millions around the world in bondage. There that’s what you meant.
Remind me, please. When did Russia last prosecute a war against a foreign nation?
In response, I’m reminded of the phrase “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
Totally agree military a world threat. However, they have more nukes than even the US and can easily move to theater nukes if absolutely necessary… so squishing will probably not work.
Some believe that their nuclear arsenal is fake.
USA Military some times … and some times … :
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkKc10RDYiKNpzrEogklPCoiMI9eageM84C-1hFtuQnAvywegI
http://static.infowars.com/bindnfocom/2013/08/agentorange.jpg
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS7tj9RlPQDFkuQYfNYYGcEzItzn0fteLBIIy5xFuhZWgeCnQBCHA
http://www.oilempire.us/oil-jpg/rumsfield-saddam.gif
Yes, remember KAL 007
Russia did not shoot down KAL 007.
Geez, the Russkies have based a LOT of planes off the Sukhoi 27, haven’t they? There’s the Su-30, 33, 34, 35, 37, and 47.
Putin loves Russia.
Does Obama love America?