Patrol and QRA Activities
QRA duty is one of the toughest and most stressful portions
of work for the pilots. There are two types of scrambles: Alpha
and Tango. Alpha scramble is an actual intercept, while Tango
scramble is a training sortie. Anybody witnessing an Alpha
Scramble would be impressed with the tempo and efficiency at
which the individual steps of the procedure are taking place. As
most of the flying is taking place over the water, the pilots wear
the immersion suit - useful in case of ditching the aircraft or
ejection over the water - it prevents hypothermia.
After the QRA signal is given, the pilots run to their planes that
have been checked beforehand by the technicians. Then they
go through an accelerated pre-take off checklist and take off
immediately. Everyone knows their job and team effort is quite
efficient here. The jets are airborne no more than 15 minutes from
the alert signal. Coordination and supervision of the airspace
takes place at the CAOC (Combined Air Operations Centre) in
Uedem, Germany. The unit is responsible for scrambling the jets
and directing the pilots towards the unidentified intruders. Uedem
is where the brain of the whole operation is located, and this is
where the information on air picture sent to the pilots originates
from. The CAOC facility also provides the pilots with information
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