News item | 17-04-2025 | 13:01
The so -called Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) is back in Dutch hands from today. For the monitoring of the airspace of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, 2 F-35s are permanently ready to be switched on.
The Netherlands and Belgium fulfill this task alternately for a few months. In the past period, the QRA was with the Belgians, now up to and including 19 June with the Netherlands.
Both fighter aircraft of the Air Force are 24/7 ready for an assignment. They can take off within a few minutes and intercept a device. The QRA takes action when an airplane flies into the Benelux airspace without making radio contact.
The Dutch aircraft fly from Leeuwarden Air Base. It Air Operations Control Station In Nieuw Milligen, the airspace keeps an eye on day and night and controls the F-35s. Is an aircraft noticed that enters the airspace without permission? Then the air combat control uses the QRA to intercept the plane.