Loss of ATC contact (RNZAF interception)

[richard1098]

Jan 24, 2012 21:27:10 GMT 12 baronbeeza said:

That sounds just like an operational readiness. The RAF had four levels of readiness for each Station I remember. It changed during my time, at least twice we went on to a higher state of alert due the IRA bombing threat. It was pretty well full on when Bobby Sands was dying.
The QRA at Waddington was a NATO requirement and was every minute of the day, every day of the week, etc, etc...In the early days it was strategic but later on became more tactical.
I was led to believe that the aircraft were armed and crewed ready to go. They certainly sat near the holding point at the end of the runway.
I was never made aware of the target but I suspect that the crews were on a one-way mission. I understand that even if they did return the Station would not be the same.
All part of the NATO game-plan... they didn't seem to want to discuss it with everyone.

Aus never faced the threat of Soviet bombers turning up unannounced in a cold war environment. Distances always meant ICBMs were the threat, against which aircraft aren't much use.

Certainly for events like the Sydney olympics and recent visit by POTUS the RAAF has had aircraft in the air 24hours a day. Beyond that, specific information on ongoing RAAF readiness levels would be classified.

[shorty]

The RAAF would have had aircraft on readiness during confrontation when the Indonesians were posturing with their "Badgers". The Javelin squadrons at Tengah were also ready, one of them saw off a Badger and also a C-130.