NATO pilots report 'professionalism' from Russians currently flying over the Baltics

摘要

NATO pilots currently flying the alliance's Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission have reported that their Russian counterparts are displaying "professional" and "co-operative" behaviour during quick-reaction alert (QRA) interceptions in international airspace over the region. Speaking to reporters during NATO's first ever 'virtual press tour' on 28 May, the commander of the lead Spanish detachment said that it has been the experience of his Boeing EF-18 Hornet crews that, when intercepting and shadowing Russian aircraft during Alpha-Scrambles (QRA responses specifically to Russian air activity), those pilots have not displayed any of the aggressive flying that has been previously reported across the Baltic and in other theatres.