Norwegian F-16 intercepts Tu-95 with Escort

[X-man]

The article is in Norwegian, so I tried to translate it.

 

 

 

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=519530

 

There was a mutual photo shoot when Norwegian F-16s from Bodoe intercepted and observed a Russian Bomber, tanker and four fighter jets.

 

-A Russian Tu-95 Bear Strategic bomber and an Il-78 Tanker performed a mid-air refueling, when they were intercepted by NATO fighter, somewhere over the Atlantic, says spokesman for the Russian Air Force Alexander Drobijsjevskij.

 

This was confirmed by Lt. Col. John Inge Oglaend at the field operation HQ in Stavanger.

 

-We were up and observing a Russian flight. They were flying over international waters (westbound?) on Wednesday morning, and when they came back, the Norwegian F-16 were sent from Bodoe to identify the flight, he says.

 

In addition to the bomber and tanker, the Norwegian pilots also observed four Su-27 fighter jets.

 

-When you meet up in international airspace, you have to follow strict procedures. You must fly at a distance where you don’t put the others at risk. It’s not unusual that you exchange greetings in the air, for example wave to each other. We always take picture of intercepted aircraft, says Oglaend to VG Nett.

 

-Extremely demanding operation

 

British fighters also took off to intercept and identify the Russian planes, which stayed in international airspace the whole time.

 

The bomber flight was in the air for more than 24 hours all together, according to the Russian air force.

 

-Mid-air refuelling is considered an extremely demanding operation, especially when our planes are followed by NATO-planes, says the spokesman for RIA Novosti.

 

Increasing Activity

 

Intercepts of Russian planes were relatively common during the cold war, but stopped when Moscow decided to cut their long-distance bomber patrols due to economical reasons in the 1990s.

 

With high oil prices and better Russian economy, long-distance flights have begun to increase again.

 

So far this year, Norwegian fighters have scrambled 14 times to identify 34 Russian planes. Last year the Norwegian fighters were scrambled 47 times to identify 88 Russian planes.

 

Cool to see not only Tu-95s but flankers and Il-78 aswell :)

 

 

 

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

24 hours in the air. Interesting.

[mvsgas]

=4c= Hajduk Veljko 24 hours in the air. Interesting.

I thought they have done that for years. I mean B-2 had like 30 or 40 something hour long flights but their are not the only ones right? I thought Russia Air Force has the record for longest lasting modern Fighter flight with very few IFR, is that right?

[Boberro]

So far this year, Norwegian fighters have scrambled 14 times to identify 34 Russian planes. Last year the Norwegian fighters were scrambled 47 times to identify 88 Russian planes.

 

Nice, very interesting...

[Vekkinho]

Is that a Su-30 or Su-27UB?!

 

Tell me please are there any external differences that might help identifing the two like IRST ball position or something similar?!

 

Those are "live" missiles on this Flanker, not too many pictures of "live" ammo on Russian birds!

[Boberro]

Is that a Su-30 or Su-27UB?!

Those are "live" missiles on this Flanker, not too many pictures of "live" ammo on Russian birds!

 

Hahaha, you laughed me :D

 

Propos missiles... isn't it R-27R?

[X-man]

Could someone tell me what the things in the pilot's cockpit are? they look like curtains or something. Could it be for when the pilot is sleeping? :) :P

[Mugatu]

^^^

And why orange jump suits?

[X-man]

^^^

And why orange jump suits?

Think I can answer that one :) It's for when you're flying over the ocean. You want a orange suit so that any rescue party could see you better. You wouldnt want to be in the north atlantic for very long, even though the suits are made to handle cold and water...;)

 

Norwegian F-16 and Russian Su-33 use orange suits all the time. Check out here:

 

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Norway---Air/Fokker-F-16AM-Fighting/1324486/L/

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Norway---Air/Fokker-F-16AM-Fighting/1324472/L/

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Norway---Air/Fokker-F-16B-Fighting/0970930/L/

[Mugatu]

Didn't see Maverick wearing Orange in Top Gun! Wooses :)

 

[Vekkinho]

The curtain and rails you see in that Flanker is used to limit pilot's external view on purpose! This way an instructor who's riding the back seat trains his student (pilot) to follow his instruments without any external visual cues. When instrument flying becomes a second nature, pilots are granted some sunbathing!

 

See it also here, fully functional...in all it's beauty:

[Vekkinho]

Orange flight suits...or better said...swim suits are trademark of Russian Navy and many navies of the world, suggesting this plane might be one of the Kilp Yavr based Flankers, (941 IAP I believe)!

[X-man]

suggesting this plane might be one of the Kilp Yavr based Flankers, (941 IAP I believe)!

I would agree on that, it seems to be the most likely regiment...:)

[Fjordmonkey]

All the RNoAF-pilots are required to wear the orange suits when doing regular missions. Might not look good, but at least you don't die of hypothermia when/if you have to eject and land in the sea.

 

Scrambles are much less common now than they were under the height of the cold war, but it's picking back up. I was on RS15-duty when the Kursk sank, and it's definately an interesting experience to have to scramble a jet within 15 minutes in the dead of night.

[59th_LeFty]

Think I can answer that one :) It's for when you're flying over the ocean. You want a orange suit so that any rescue party could see you better. You wouldnt want to be in the north atlantic for very long, even though the suits are made to handle cold and water...;)

 

Norwegian F-16 and Russian Su-33 use orange suits all the time. Check out here:

 

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Norway---Air/Fokker-F-16AM-Fighting/1324486/L/

 

And that's why they have orange missiles too :lol:

[Vekkinho]

I would agree on that, it seems to be the most likely regiment...:)

 

And this 3D like number graphic on Flanker's nose (#54) is also used in Kilp Yavr like on this bird (#34) here:

 

[tn_prvteye]

Not to get too off-topic, but do you have any more pics of this regiment's Su-27s? I'm building a 1.72 scale Flanker and would like to do one in these markings.

[Kusch]

Thanks X-man! :)

 

 

 

Not to get too off-topic, but do you have any more pics of this regiment's Su-27s? I'm building a 1.72 scale Flanker and would like to do one in these markings.

 

Check this thread:

 

http://forums.airforce.ru/showthread.php?t=339

[tn_prvteye]

Excellent! Thank you!

[Vekkinho]

Oh yes, that's the one: