Two Royal Air Force Voyager tanker aircraft are now being deployed to refuel a cargo aircraft over the Arctic.
A source told me that a significant amount of goods brought to the UK over the course of December are being brought by this one cargo aircraft, so all efforts are being made to make sure it reaches its destination.
Details are scarce but it’s understood that Voyager tanker aircraft will be making sure that an unidentified cargo aircraft flying from the Arctic has enough fuel to conduct an incredibly long-haul flight. This is primarily due to the increased weight the aircraft has on taking off, meaning it burns more fuel.
Voyager, the RAF designation for the Airbus A330 MRTT, made its first operational tanker flight in May 2013. The UK operates a total of 14 Voyager aircraft, 5 of which are leased for commercial purposes when not required.
The operation, involving both Western and Russian forces, is being called Operation RED.
It is understood that the Ministry of Defence used satellites with infra-red sensors to track the aircraft, the heat from an animal’s red nose was clearly visible.
It has also been made clear in the last few moments the refuelling operation has now started and additional Typhoon aircraft have been scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to begin escorting the cargo aircraft over every British city, town and village later tonight, but it is understood that the aircraft has only been cleared to fly over the homes of good boys and girls as discussed above.
It is expected that the soon to be refuelled aircraft will enter UK airspace not a moment before midnight tonight. In addition to fuel, the Voyager aircraft has is also transferring over some biscuits and a large quantity of Brandy.
The British Armed Forces contribution to ‘Operation RED’
Excluding today’s news, there are two main efforts supporting Operation RED.
- Typhoons are available to escort the cargo aircraft, the flight plan is likely to involve low-level flights over the homes of good girls and boys in every British village, town and city. But only if they’re good.
- HMS Queen Elizabeth has sailed to the Arctic to act as an emergency landing option should “a classified cargo aircraft” require its usage.
Speaking to NATO Maritime Command Admiral Feliz Navidad, we were told:
“So here it is merry Christmas.
Everybody’s having fun
Look to the future now
It’s only just begun!”
Merry Christmas everyone.
Just hope no t45 required to give surface to air cover :), any sentinel craft flying to check for em emissions?
Merry Xmas.
Whew, thought you were going to discuss methods for checking potential methane gas emissions from propulsion system. 😉
One would hope Santa’s sleigh is fitted with both drogue and boom systems or he may well be in trouble!
Merry Christmas One And All And Enjoy The Festive Season.
…But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night”
— Clement C. Moore
A Visit from St. Nicholas
P.S. Someone please explain the significance of Boxing Day to a Yank. I rather assume it is not a celebration of all able-bodied Brits climbing into the ring for a few rounds of pugilistic endeavor.
Merry Christmas.
The tradition started when employers would send boxes filled with gifts, bonuses, and occasionally leftover food to servants who had to serve their masters on Christmas Day but were then permitted to see their families the next day. The custom has been also mentioned in a 1663 entry from Samuel Pepys’ diaries.
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Charles Dickens
Thanks; wow, a tradition at least 360 yrs. old! 😳 We don”t have many that old on this side of the Pond. 🤔
I didn’t even know Boxing Day had a tradition.
So it’s not just the day to flatten boxes and build kids presents. Oh and eat left over Christmas dinner and chocolate
NO. No punch ups after Christmas. They probably happened down the pub on a Christmas Eve! Two parts . The first Nigel has well taken care of. The second was tradesmen bringing their box to customers for the same reason. Dust bin men, lamplighters, chimney sweeps and so on. A busy old time of year. It wasn’t unusual in rural areas like mine for this still to be occurring in the fifties and sixties and I mean last century. Hope you had a good Christmas. Take care.🙂
Ah Nigel. My all time favourite fighter!
Mine too including this.
Have a nice Christmas all and I hope you all avoid the mother-in-law.
I reciprocate your Seasonal Good Wishes, Avoidance of Siblings and In-laws being Top-cover for Safety of Passage through this time of much frenetic activity
No chance of that, I’ve got her round for lunch 😆. Have a good one pal.
I loved my mother in law, or Mum2 as I called her. Guess I was lucky.
Great job George. Just hope the Russians don’t shoot him down.
Merry Xmas everyone.
The Ruskies are getting very clever with stealth tech! Thank you George and friends and all posters who keep me and all fed with stories and inf0. Merry Christmas. Have a great time.🎅🍾😴
Have a great Christmas everyone!🎁🎉🎈
Happy Christmas George and to all our friends at UKDJ. P***ing with rain here in Durban. If you ever plan on visiting this part of Africa don’t come in Summer-4 days rain 2 days hot and humid in a repeating cycle.All the best Lads and families
ps are there any ladies on this site and more to the point, are we still allowed to ask this question? 😆
ps Daniele-did I ever tell you the one about the time we were chased by the Harbour police next to HMS Echo in the Durban Bay🤔 Klonkie-Alles van die Beste vir Kersfees
Twice, maybe more, my friend!!
I think the only regular poster was a Russian lady, who’s faded somewhat since February. I know some suspected she was not a she at all, but me, I saw no reason to doubt her.
Funny, I cannot recall her name now?
Ulya?
Of course!
I used to fish at the Harbour, good old Finlands, my ballie Brendan got the record for the biggest queen fish 🐟 🙌. Any way wasn’t there a submarine base the reason you actually got ‘escorted’ away ? But always just a rumor it was buried under the mountain?
Crazy I’m in the UK now and just came across this.
Howsit Railton. There was and still is I think, a Naval Base on Salisbury Island although much diminished. The reason we were chased away by the Harbour Police was because visiting Naval vessels both from the SA Navy and foreign/commonwealth navies have a restricted zone around them disallowing small craft from approaching within the perimeter. The USS Cole attack highlighted the need for these restrictions. We used to jig for Mullet in the bay near RNYC as lighties in the 60’s
Cheers
Geoff
Merry Christmas to George, family, and UKDJ team. Thank you for this site.
Merry Christmas to all friends and posters here.
I’d like to make a point of mentioning all the nurses, doctors, military, emergency services, and other staff who cannot have a Christmas day like so many as they are working.
Especially those nurses who are treating my mum at Frimley Park Hospital as I speak and who’ve just brought her to tears with a gift of a 3 foot Teddy Bear. They deserve a Christmas day too. ❤
A completely on topic Merry Christmas and compiments of the season to everyone. 🌲🎈🍻🌲
You can not better the RAF for service. Merry Christmas to all.
31 years as of a ground controller and never saw a tanker passing milk and cookies vice Jp8. Good on you RAF and Merry Christmas to my brothers in arms. To late now but keep in mind for next year to go visit NORAD track Santa.