Voyager tankers have refuelled an inbound aircraft inside the Arctic Circle after it declared an emergency, the UK Defence Journal can report.

It is understood that the Ministry of Defence used satellites with infra-red sensors to track the aircraft, the heat from an animals red nose was clearly visible.

It has also been made clear in the last few moments the refuelling operation has now concluded 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.

It is expected that the now fully refuelled aircraft will enter UK airspace not a moment before midnight.

In addition to fuel, the Voyager aircraft has also transferred over some biscuits and a large quantity of Brandy.

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.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Old Geezer
Old Geezer
7 years ago

For the technically minded, the craft was running low on Mince Pies and Sherry. I understand that it now has enough to last until it reaches the next stop on it’s journey.

Liamski
Liamski
5 years ago
Reply to  Old Geezer

I drank the sherry, take me in as a traitor.

HF
HF
4 years ago
Reply to  Liamski

Lucky sod – I had to eat the carrots !

Paul Corcoran
Paul Corcoran
4 years ago
Reply to  HF

Just as well, as apparently reindeers can’t eat carrots. They haven’t got the right type of teeth!!!!!

Trevor Hart
Trevor Hart
5 years ago
Reply to  Old Geezer

That would explain why Santa had hiccups when he arrived here. Refused my mince pies, I made them, mind you after one bite I refused them. Poor birds in garden had them. None dead yet. The sherry was Harveys Bristol Cream. Bristol makers of the Olympus engine, the most efficient jet engine, Vulcan and Concorde. Bristol buses, Bristol cars, amazing what a small city can do. Back to Santa, how did he manage over Germany as they have no working aircraft, well nothing working in their military. Brits can apply to join the “depleted” German armed forces EVEN AFTER Brexit.

Scrooge
Scrooge
7 years ago

Waste of public money
Bahh Humbug
Yours, Scrooge

Peter French
Peter French
7 years ago
Reply to  Scrooge

You are off the Xmas present list then. At least give Bob Cratchet the day off

David Flandry
David Flandry
5 years ago

They are going to milk the holiday for all they can get. Still, its kindasorta fun.
Didn’t know the Voyager had special fuel tanks for that mission.

Rob
Rob
5 years ago

Does Santa have boom and drogue systems? Can’t see how it would work otherwise.

Cam Hunter
Cam Hunter
5 years ago
Reply to  Rob

He has reindeer… gay just need carrots. ? Not sure how voyager done that!

Longtime
Longtime
5 years ago
Reply to  Cam Hunter

Well they obviously filled the drogue basket with carrots and the tanks with brandy so Santa could get his head in the brandy drogue

Steve Salt
4 years ago
Reply to  Cam Hunter

Hose and rogue carrots or boom ? ?

OOA
OOA
5 years ago

A very Happy Christmas to all from OOA – temporarily back in area.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago

Happy Christmas to all on UKDJ.

And a toast to George Allison for his work in providing this site for us to enjoy, argue, discuss, and generally sound off and put the world to rights.

Thank you.

Would be fascinated to read your views too rather than a silent impartial observer.

And personally I love Christmas, so who cares about the Santa articles!

HF
HF
4 years ago

Merry Xmas to you ! Always interesting and well informed poster.

geoff
geoff
4 years ago

Happy Christmas Daniele and to all on UKDJ. A milder day here in Durban after yesterdays 32 deg with some rain expected later. I see from the Sky News that NORAD are tracking Father Christmas’s progress over the Western USA at present.

Daren Coleman
Daren Coleman
5 years ago

Merry Christmas to all at UKDJ!

JohnHartley
JohnHartley
5 years ago

Well I took in enough fuel on Christmas day to keep me going til March.

David E Flandry
David E Flandry
5 years ago
Reply to  JohnHartley

That unknown aircraft looks aerodynamically questionable to me. Must be one of those Taranis derivatives, with a multi-drive engine.

Nick V
Nick V
5 years ago

Not sure that I have ever seen a reindeer with the necessary probe fitted, so I reluctantly think that this is fake news, and there is probably a Russian connection. After all this alleged aircraft is coming from their general direction!
On another note, can I add my thanks to all at UKDJ, its a very interesting and informative site and long may you continue.
Happy New Year

BV Buster
BV Buster
4 years ago
Reply to  Nick V

I think you will find the reindeer refuelling probe, on that particular model is located between the rear undercarriage, semi recessed for aerodynamic efficiency.

BV

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
5 years ago

Food for thought in 2019!
“Russia’s ‘invulnerable’ nuclear missile ready to deploy, Putin says”
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/27/europe/russia-hypersonic-missile-intl/index.html

Herodotus
5 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

And a ‘Happy Christmas’ to you Vladimir…..you sad little man…with your nuclear penis!

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
5 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Silly Twat

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
4 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Who is this with the same name as mine???
Flagged to admin, please can you look into this, hope others on here will do the same thank you and have an enjoyable Christmas.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
4 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

I had a similar problem on 23 August 2019.

Copy of email sent to admin.

Hello George,

My name in threads appears as Harry Bilpit instead of Nigel Collins. Hope you can fix the problem!
Best regards,
Nigel

“Finally, NSM seems to be the best fit and carried by the USA too.
It can also be launched from land.

Who is Harry Bulpit??? It’s Nigel Collins! Admin/George Allison, can you look into this please thank you.”

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-further-details-future-anti-ship-missile-contract/

farouk
farouk
5 years ago

I divorced my ex wife after I caught her noshing on Rudolfs carrot and drinking Santa’s milk during one of his refuelling stops the other year.

Barry Larking
Barry Larking
5 years ago

Great stuff from the Forces. Seriously, our armed services represent the country including our values and sense of humour. If or when that is no longer true we are in trouble.

Seasons Best Wishes to one and all.

Cam Hunter
Cam Hunter
5 years ago

Anyone who wants to have the RFA solid supply ships built in the UK you can you sign this petition to help. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/235377

Lusty
Lusty
5 years ago

Anyone see the recent comments by Gavin about opening new facilities in the Caribbean and Far East?

Hope everyone has had a good festive period so far.

David E Flandry
David E Flandry
5 years ago

From: Air Command
To: All QRA forces
Subject: Recent incursion of special airborne objects(SAO)
Message:

SAO identified and refueled. Has returned to its base. QRA stand down.

For information to NORAD
For Information to MoD

Ho ho Ho

Message ends

HF
HF
4 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSJQHr7cs-U Is he going in the wrong direction ?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago

At last! Been waiting for this. Merry Christmas George and the team and thank you for your work providing the site for us.

Helions
Helions
4 years ago

A very Happy and Merry Christmas to all from across The Pond!

Cheers!

Helions

geoff
geoff
4 years ago

All the best to you and all at UKDJ for Christmas and 2020 George. My friend who is an Optician here in ‘Durbs’ is hoping that we all have 20-20 vision in the coming New Year-he has been waiting some decades for this one so is milking for all it’s worth over the rest of the month!

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Reaper
Reaper
4 years ago

Gets funnier every year