RAMSTEIN, Germany – The UK Royal Air Force has concluded its NATO enhanced Air Policing deployment (eAP) at Borcea Air Base in Romania, after completing its contribution to safeguarding NATO airspace on the Alliance’s south-eastern flank. 

Our people have delivered operational excellence throughout the deployment

During the deployment, Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and personnel from 121 Expeditionary Air Wing maintained continuous Quick Reaction Alert (QRA), ensuring NATO’s ability to respond rapidly to potential airspace violations. Operating under NATO’s Eastern Sentry, the detachment reinforced the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture while working closely with Romanian and Allied forces. 

UK Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons tax on the runway of Borcea Air Base in Romania. The UK Royal Air Force has concluded its NATO enhanced Air Policing deployment (eAP) safeguarding NATO airspace on the Alliance’s south-eastern flank. Photo courtesy of the UK Royal Air Force.
UK Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons fly in formation in Romania. During the deployment, Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and personnel from 121 Expeditionary Air Wing maintained continuous Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) on NATO’s Eastern Flank. Photo courtesy of the UK Royal Air Force.
Maintainer from the UK Royal Air Force prepare a Eurofighter Typhoon at Borcea Air Base in Romania. This deployment marked a shift from NATO’s Air Policing mission to a broader Air Defence role for NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) framework. Photo courtesy of the UK Royal Air Force.

Throughout the deployment, the detachment flew more than 180 flying hours, around 140 sorties, while maintaining aircraft and crews on very high readiness. The Royal Air Force responded to nearly 10 Alpha Scrambles and conducted more than 40 training Scrambles, demonstrating NATO’s ability to react quickly to potential airspace activity. During their deployment the British contingent participated in Exercise Beastling Monolith, conducting Air-Land Integration (ALI) and Close Air Support (CAS) training alongside NATO Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) from France, Poland, Spain, Belgium and Italy. Additional activities included enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) Neptune Strike and Exercise Beastling Redback, which focused on CAS in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), including live-strafing serials. The detachment also participated in NATO Flexible Deterrence Options (FDOs) and completed integrated JTAC training while operating with forces from eight NATO nations.  

“As we hand over responsibility to the Spanish Air Force, we do so with a great sense of pride,” said Wing Commander Daz Wicks-Randy, commanding officer of the 121 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW). “Our people have delivered operational excellence throughout the deployment, maintaining NATO’s Air Policing mission while building enduring relationships with our Allied partners.” 

Ensuring the uninterrupted protection of NATO airspace, the Royal Air Force detachment will now hand over responsibilities to the incoming Spanish Air and Space Force Detachment who will conduct the Air Defence mission from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania. 

This deployment marks a shift from NATO’s Air Policing mission to a broader Air Defence role, aimed at providing a more flexible approach across the alliance’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) framework within NATO’s area of responsibility.