BILLED Great Britain | Exercise Swift Response 1995

[Jamie]

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Exercise Swift Response 1995 ​

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Deployment List

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[4] Panavia Tornado ADV F3, 1 Squadron A Flight (CHAOS001 - CHAOS0004)
[2] Lockheed TriStar KC1, 2 Squadron A Flight (COYOTE001, COYOTE002)

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Operation Staging Areas

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Designation	Location	Status
RAF Waddington	RAF Waddington	Active

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Over Sixty-Two (62) personnel from the Royal Air Force have received assignment to Exercise Swift Response, a training procedure that will give certification to four Panavia Tornado ADV F3's and two Lockheed TriStar Tanker Aircraft the authority to conduct a Quick Reaction Alert, or QRA for short. The QRA is the frontline air defence for the United Kingdom and is responsible for policing the skies, intercepting threats and eliminating them if necessary. It had been some time since this mission was last used, and changes to the government and Royal Air Force infrastructure has meant there is a demand to be more protective over British Airspace. With that in mind, personnel and aircraft from 1 Squadron, A Flight and 2 Squadron, A Flight, have been transported via public bus with the exception of the pilot and aircrews who traveled via the air. Their destination? Royal Air Force Base Waddington. Home of Intelligence-gathering aircraft, and on the doorstep of the North Sea. This provides a solid foundation for those involved to get the full experience. The coaches utilized for personnel transport arrived from their original bases to Waddington within hours, coming from either RAF Coningsby or RAF Brize Norton. The Aircraft arrival itself was.. as expected, much sooner. Personnel based at Waddington ensured a smooth landing and transition to parking bays. The exercise due to begin the next day.

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[Jamie]

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The coaches containing the RAF Personnel required for the exercise and four Tornado ADV's complimented by two Lockheed Martin TriStar Aircraft had successfully arrived and parked at Waddington Air Base. During the time on the ground, aircraft was refueled, and configured for training to essentially be a simulator of sorts. Any rounds shot were only simulated, the concept was that one at a time, a TriStar was to be intercepted. The second TriStar used for air to air refueling whilst Tornado's intercepted the rogue. Whilst Ground Crew focused on preparing the aircraft, briefings had begun in the orientation rooms:

"Thanks for comin' lads. As you know, you're all here to earn the certification to be the Quick Reaction Alert Force for a maximum of four years. During that time, you will be responsible for UK Air Defence, training other squadrons to be QRA-authorized. During this course, you'll spend a number of hours in the sky, working closely with local air traffic controllers, your tanker and you will be in contact with the rogue aircraft. Their will be a number of scenarios, you're all given the rest of today and tomorrow morning to go through the instructional videos and exams prior to initial flight tests. Any questions?"

The room fell silent. "Okay, carry on." walked out the instructor, whilst all air personnel headed to watch their videos on performing QRA's and then conducting exams. Live Training was to begin tomorrow afternoon.

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[Jamie]

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There was a 100% Success Rate on the exams, not un-surprising given the solid focus and mental capacity that is required to be a pilot, much-less a Fighter Pilot. Early that afternoon, two Tornado ADV F3's were placed on 'QRA'. Essentially, on standby in the event of any issues with airspace over the United Kingdom. Unknown to them, COYOTE001 had just departed Waddington with the intention of been an aircraft with no communications. The next few hours were silence, the F3 Crews of CHAOS001 and CHAOS004 relatively relaxed in a confined accommodation for their time on duty. Using this time to catch up on paperwork, embrace food, but that could change at any moment. 43minutes later, and a radio message came through their communication devices that were in the Accommodation for the QRA.

"Waddington Operations and QRA, this is the BlackDog Master Controller, Acknowledge."

With that, one of the pilots hastily moves to respond:

"QRA" spoke the pilot on the radio, before receiving final confirmation from the Master Controller:

"Q1 for Quick Reaction Alert, Scramble, Scramble Scramble. Acknowledge"

"QRA" confirmed the pilot before pressing the alarm, causing an echoing beep around the facility calling the ground and air crews to launch both fighters. At this point, the two Tornado ADV Aircraft were semi-ready, with final preparations needed before departing. The Pilots and Aircrew quickly embarking the craft, and Air Traffic Control held any other aircraft from the runways as the QRA were given highest of priorities. Running through any remaining checks, they begun their taxing to the runway before departing with full afterburner to get airborne. Communications then fell between RAF QRA Command and the QRA Fighters themselves as they made their way to intercept the aircraft failing to respond to communications..

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[Jamie]

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It wasn't long before the echoing of the two Tornado ADVs were screeching overhead, gaining altitude quickly and adjusting their heading to be to the last reported location of the aircraft that was not communicating with Air Traffic Control. It wasn't long until the two Tornado's were side by side with the Tri-Star, armed with simulated Air-to-Air weaponry. Radio communications were sent across from CHAOS001, requesting the immediate response of COYOTE.

"COYOTE-ZERO-ZERO-ONE FROM CHAOS-ZERO-ZERO-ONE, Requesting Immediate Feedback"

There remained a silence from the Tri-Star, the second Tornado moving closer to the front of the airliner, but at a safe distance to prevent any risk of collision. His intention was to get the pilots attention from the cockpit windows, the pilots remained non-responsive to his gestures. A second radio transmition sent:

"COYOTE-ZERO-ZERO-ONE FROM CHAOS-ZERO-ZERO-ONE, Requesting Immediate Feedback"

A few more minutes was given and the aircraft nor aircrew showed any sign of change. All information was getting fed back to the RAF Ground Control Team before CHAOS001 escalated the issue.

"COYOTE-ZERO-ZERO-ONE FROM CHAOS-ZERO-ZERO-ONE, I am instructed by Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom to warn you that if you do not respond immediately to my next set of orders, you will be shot down."
"Turn left, One-Four-Five Degrees and begin descent."

Fortunately, the aircraft that they were intercepting had heard, and begun to turn as requested. The rest of the instructions led the aircraft to back to RAF Waddington, eventually the Tri-Star understood and begun to land. The Tornado's remaining airborne until it was confirmed by ground control they were clear to stand down.
At that point, the intercept ended and the aircraft returned to Waddington for refuel. The next two Tornado crews took over the watch.

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[Jamie]

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It was a quiet beginning for the second watch, no alarms but this only caused a more nervous approach. Knowing they could be called out any second was bound to keep anyone on edge. The aircrew exchanging banter in their barracks, enjoying a cup of tea with one pilot opting to dunk custard cream biscuits for himself. Suddenly, the phone rings and one of the pilots rush to answer.

"QRA" was all he said, this informing the master controller he was there and listening, and a response was returned.

"Q1 for Quick Reaction Alert, Scramble, Scramble Scramble. Acknowledge"

"QRA" the exchange concluded and the alerts echoed throughout the base causing the immediate preparation of the two Tornado's. Within 2minutes, the aircraft were taxiing out of their respective hangers armed with their QRA pre-arranged Air to Air configuration.
Their mission was to intercept another aircraft which had refused to respond to air traffic controllers..

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[Jamie]

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The two Tornado's didn't take long to arrive at their target, lining up each side of the aircraft with the primary flight, CHAOS-ZERO-ZERO-THREE taking lead on communications. The aircraft they were interceipting? COYOTE-ZERO-ZERO-TWO. Carrying out the same commands as the previous flight.

"COYOTE-ZERO-ZERO-TWO FROM CHAOS-ZERO-ZERO-ONE, Requesting Immediate Feedback"

All that came back in return was static for a few moments, then stopped.

"COYOTE-ZERO-ZERO-TWO FROM CHAOS-ZERO-ZERO-ONE, Requesting Immediate Feedback"

30 seconds passed with no change, he continued.

"COYOTE-ZERO-ZERO-TWO FROM CHAOS-ZERO-ZERO-ONE, I am instructed by Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom to warn you that if you do not respond immediately to my next set of orders, you will be shot down."

A repeat of earliers exercise had re-occurred, the aircraft followed direction and eventually, all aircraft was grounded and the aircrews received certification in air policing. The focus is communication and procedure given all the pilots know how to use their weaponry.
It was officially announced that 1 Squadron A Flight was the new QRA directive until further notice.

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