Norway uses F-35 to intercept Russian MiG-31 near its airspace
The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) scrambled an F-35A on a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission for the first time on 7 March, after identifying a Russian MiG-31 near Norwegian airspace.
The MiG-31 was accompanying a Tupolev Tu-95 bomber.
This was the first time that the RNoAF deployed an F-35 for a QRA mission, instead of an F-16.
The F-35 flew from Orland Air Station and located the Russian aircraft in airspace under NATO command, according to Major General Tonje Skinnarland, Chief of the RNoAF.
‘This shows that we have taken major and important steps towards getting [an] operational benefit from the F-35,’ he added.
The Russian aircraft did not enter Norwegian airspace. UK RAF aircraft took over the tracking of the aircraft as they flew on southwards, launching QRA Typhoon aircraft from Lossiemouth and Coningsby.
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