UNWANTED VISITORS For USS Mount Whitney

The 2nd of November was like no other at the NATO exercise as uninvited guests turned up.

The crew on board the USS Mount Whitney got quite a shock seeing a Russian TU-142 fly past. The NATO event is the largest since the end of the cold war - Marines on board the vessel had gathered for a group photo on the deck when the long range bomber made its appearance.

Russia expressed their thoughts about the 2 week long NATO Trident Juncture exercises as the 2 week long event is filled with Anti-Russia shows of force. However; Russia did warn that the exercises "would not go unanswered".

The Russian MOD reported two Tupolev TU-142 carried out a "Planned flight" over a 12 hour duration, additionally Moscow announced Missile tests will begin in the area. However; no tests have started. Several states including Sweden, Turkey and Baltic nations as well as the UK have reported Airspace Violations from the Russians.

The TU-124 is a rather old aircraft with only 100 ever being built. This model of Aircraft made its first flight in 1968 and as most aviation fans will know its a long range bomber that can carry a huge payload.

The RAF in recent months and years have been called upon to stop the Russians entering the UK Airspace, Often Typhoons scramble (QRA) from RAF Coninsby or RAF Lossiemouth.

Modern day taunting from the Russians.

Article by Kian McVicker from Miles To Go - Aviation Blogging