UK fighter jets have commenced their initial NATO policing mission over Poland following Russian airspace violations by monitoring the region where 19 drones were downed earlier this month.
The Government declared additional air defense support for the eastern European nation, with RAF Typhoons departing from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Friday night. The fighter jets, dubbed “chaos 1-1” and “chaos 1-2,” conducted a defensive patrol near Belarusian and Russian airspace.
The UK’s first NATO “Eastern Sentry” operation did not yield any significant events. Fighter jets, accompanied by a Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft, initiated the mission ten days after Russian drones breached Polish airspace and six days after intercepting another Russian drone flying over Romania.
The Polish incident led Prime Minister Donald Tusk to caution that the country was closest to “open conflict” since World War II. Estonia reported that three Russian jets violated its airspace without authorization, remaining for 12 minutes.
The UK is not alone in patrolling NATO’s eastern flank, as missions are coordinated with Denmark, France, and Germany. Refueling operations on board the Voyager aircraft proceeded smoothly, with the fuel hose linking to the fighter jets on the way out to the mission north of Hamburg and 70 miles from the Belarusian border.
The second refueling took place where 19 Russian drones were previously taken down. Equipped with advanced sensors and infrared-guided short-range air-to-air missiles, the jets refueled at around 25,000ft while the Voyager flew at approximately 439mph.
Upon completing the refueling, Voyager pilots signed off with “happy hunting.” They were informed of their inaugural NATO policing mission on Thursday, replacing their original plan to partake in a UK-based training exercise.
As the Typhoon jets monitored the eastern flank, the refueling aircraft circled inland in a “race track” pattern, awaiting the subsequent refueling session. The refueling process was managed by a missions system operator, coordinating the aircraft’s contact with the fuel hose and fuel intake similar to traffic lights.
On Friday night, the Voyager supplied 27.4 tonnes of fuel to the fighter jets, positioned 12 meters away from the refueling aircraft during the process. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the solidarity with Poland in defense of shared security through the mission.
He stated, “RAF Typhoons have engaged in their initial air defense operation over Poland, signaling the defense of NATO airspace. I commend the exceptional British pilots and crew involved in safeguarding our Allies against Russian aggression.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, highlighted the RAF’s operational mission on Eastern Sentry as a demonstration of the UK’s resolute commitment to NATO and its partners. RAF Typhoons, supported by Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft, united with allies along the eastern flank to reinforce NATO defense and deterrence.