Alpha Scramble is an alarm calling for a combat flight. Pilots have 15 minutes to get into the air and perform the task. Tango Scramble is a training mission. Now it is made very often on the Baltic Sea, where Russians test how NATO reacts to their presence. Artur Molęda's TVN24 reporter watched the exercise from the aircraft.
The Russians are interested in the Baltic Sea exceptionally and not only in terms of underwater, critical infrastructure, but also airspace. Hence the need for joint air force exercises taking care of this aquure.
The Russians, flying close to the NATO sky, provoke and check the speed of the Alliance's response. – You must always be in full readiness, because we do not know what the pilot will do in the opposite plane – says Major Maciej “Slab” of the inhabitants of Krakow, pilot F -16.
A kidnapped plane and explosion at the stadium. Large anti -terrorist exercises at the airport in PyrzowicePaweł Szot/Fakty TVN
Joint exercises with the Norwegians
As part of the Tango Scramble's training mission, two Polish F-16 and two Norwegian F-35 met on the Baltic Sea. – If there is a real need to dispose of these machines to capture the so -called violar, this may happen, of course, then we interrupt immediately – describes Bartosz Bera, an aviation photographer.
Hence, not accidental and impressing the weapons of fighters. -Our F-16 have a Air-to-Air configuration, i.e. six air-to-air missiles. Rarely seen configuration: two Sidewinder shells, four Amraam missiles – reveals Bera.
Joint exercises for pilots are extremely important. They refine procedures, tactics or communication. – It doesn't matter if you are a Norwegian, American or Polish pilot. You are just as trained, you are one hundred percent prepared to perform your missions in the air – emphasizes the major of the Cracovian.
The first F-35 flight with a Polish remote control at the controls Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz/Twitter
F-35 soon at Polish bases
The Norwegians are now stationed in Poznań. In case of danger, they are also picked up. – The first emergency departure was after three days, so we really proved that we can also cooperate together in such a demanding region as northern Europe – indicates “Morgan”, commander of the Norwegian mission in Poland.
The presence of the F-35 in Poland is also an interesting moment from the point of view of our pilots. – In a year Polish F-35 aircraft will appear in Łask, later in Świdwin, but we can now build this cooperation and somehow get to know all the procedures of the F-35 aircraft- notes the major of the Cracovian.
And these exercises are real proof of the strength of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Source of the main photo: Facts of TVN