Wing Commander Nigel Turner talked to Tickenham WI recently about the “Quick Reaction Alert” system the RAF deploys to protect UK National Airspace from enemy aggression and terrorists. It was an absorbing and engaging overview of the vital role the RAF play in protecting the UK from these threats. Nigel served nearly 3 decades with the RAF and is a highly qualified chartered engineer with a wide range of experience in the Aviation Industry.
At the end of this very enjoyable talk, Nigel asked us all to play the role of a Government Minister in the key decision which would have to be taken in the event of an alert. When the situation is fast evolving and uncertain – do you engage or not?
The RAF website describes the current Quick Reaction Alert process:
Using information from radar sites across the UK and from civilian air traffic and intelligence agency, the surveillance team in the Control Reporting Centre (CRC) at RAF Boulmer identify and share the Recognised Air Picture (RAP) with the National Air and Space Operations Centre (NASOC) at RAF Air Command in High Wycombe.
The NASOC decide that the threat is sufficient to scramble Typhoon jets and pass the order to the CRC at RAF Boulmer.
The CRC have direct contact with the pilots at RAF Lossiemouth and pass on the scramble message.
Pilots at RAF Coningsby are ordered to standby in the cockpits of their Typhoons.