Belgian fighter pilots test Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) capability

NGB Banner with White Knockout Text & Divider

In crisis? Seeking support is a sign of strength.
24/7 support is available:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 or click here for live chat.

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1; text 838255; or click here for live chat.

NGB Warrior Resilience and Fitness (WRF) Division facilitates the Joint Suicide Prevention Program. The program
enhances suicide prevention-related policies and training, advances data collection and analysis, expands access to
community resources, and conducts strategic communication outreach aimed at reducing suicidal behavior across the
Army and Air National Guard. To learn more about WRF resources, click here.

DoD/VA RESOURCES

Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO)
DSPO Risks and Warning Signs
DSPO Lethal Means Safety Resources
DSPO Leaders Suicide Prevention Messaging Guide
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Lethal Means Safety Resources
VA Mental Health and Wellness Mobile Apps
VA Confidential Self-Check Quiz

NATIONAL PROGRAMS

Project Safeguard
NG Cares

GOVERNANCE

CNGBI
CNGB DTM 0300.00

NON-CRISIS COUNSELING AND SUPPORT

Military OneSource
Vet Center Call Center
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline
Psychological Health Resource Center Live Chat
inTransition Live Chat
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
NG Family Assistance Centers
Vet Centers
Star Behavioral Health Providers
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration FIND Treatment
More
Give an Hour
Cohen Veterans Network
Face the Fight
Avalon Action Alliance
PsychArmor
Operation Mend
Travis Manion Foundation
Directors of Psychological Health (CAC enabled)
More

Video by Courtesy

Belgian fighter pilots test Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) capability

Natochannel

April 30, 2021 | 3:36

SYNOPSIS
NATO Air Policing is a collective task and a purely defensive mission, which involves the 24/7 presence of fighter aircraft, which are ready to react quickly to airspace violations. The Belgian and Dutch Air Forces defend the airspace over Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (BENELUX) on a rotational basis.

Footage includes shots of Belgian Air Force F-16 fighters prepping for a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) exercise, taking off and returning to the air base as well as an interview with a Belgian fighter pilot. QRA – also called scramble - is a state of readiness and modus operandi of air defence maintained at all hours of the day by NATO air forces.

For security reasons, the identity of the pilots is not disclosed. During filming, all COVID-19 precautions were observed, including mask-wearing and social distancing.

SHOTLIST
1. (00:00) LARGE SHOT OF AIRCRAFT IN HANGAR AT FLORENNES AIR BASE IN BELGIUM
2. (00:05) BELGIAN FIGHTER PILOT RUNNING TO F-16 JET AFTER THE ALARM WAS ACTIVATED DURING A QUICK REACTION ALERT (QRA) EXERCISE
3. (00:07) VARIOUS SHOTS OF F-16 AND AIR CREW INSIDE THE HANGAR
4. (00:18) CLOSE UP OF BELGIAN FIGHTER PILOT INSIDE THE COCKPIT
5. (00:27) CLOSE UP OF BELGIAN F-16 INSIDE THE HANGAR
6. (00:33) VARIOUS SHOTS OF BELGIAN F-16 JETS LEAVING THE HANGAR AND TAXIING TO RUNWAY
7. (01:24) VARIOUS SHOTS OF BELGIAN F-16 JETS TAKING OFF FROM FLORENNES AIR BASE, BELGIUM, DURING A QUICK REACTION ALERT (QRA) EXERCISE
8. (02:08) BELGIAN F-16 JET LANDING AT FLORENNES AIR BASE, BELGIUM
9. (02:14) VARIOUS SHOTS OF A BELGIAN F-16 JET PARKING NEAR THE HANGAR
10. (02:27) VARIOUS SHOTS OF A BELGIAN FIGHTER PILOT CLIMBING OUT OF F-16 JET
11. (02:54) SOUNDBITE BY A BELGIAN FIGHTER PILOT (ANONYMOUS) (IN DUTCH)
“Dat is een NATO opdracht. Wij doen dat om het luchtruim veilig te houden tegenover vliegtuigen die vanuit andere gebieden komen natuurlijk en die hier vliegen zonder toestemming in feite. De bedoeling is eigenlijk om deze te gaan controleren, kijken waarom zij hier zijn. Het kan zijn dat zij een verkeerd vluchtplan hebben doorgegeven enzovoort en daarom is het dan de bedoeling dat wij gaan kijken om zo ons luchtruim te kunnen beveiligen en ook natuurlijk ervoor te zorgen dat zij geen slechte bedoelingen hebben. In zekere zin hier, gebeurt het niet vaak dat de bedoelingen slecht zijn maar soms kan het wel gebeuren, en daarom.”

“This is a NATO mission. We do that in order to keep the airspace safe from aircraft that come from other regions and fly here without authorisation. The intention is to check them and find out why they are here. Maybe they gave the wrong flight plan, so we go and find out so that we can secure our airspace and of course also make sure that they don't have malicious intentions. The intention is not often malicious here, but sometimes it can happen, so that’s the reason.”
END