FOUR Eurofighter Typhoons caused a stir as they were spotted flying over Worcester in formation.

The clear blue skies meant many people saw the military aircraft flying across the city at about 5.15pm yesterday (Sunday).

The fighter jets were cruising at 40,000ft on their way back to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire from exercise Red Flag.

Paul Harding, from Discover History, spotted them flying over Tolladine Road.

He said: "Worcester is on a flight path for many aircraft.

"It's also natural instinct to look up when you hear something in the sky.

"In the past I have seen Ospreys, Chinnocks and larger aircraft flying at high altitude.

Worcester News: Four Eurofighter Typhoons. Picture by Paul HardingFour Eurofighter Typhoons. Picture by Paul Harding

"Sunday was no different and on looking up I saw four con-trails very close together.

"This was on a bright clear blue sky. It was obviously not a standard commercial aircraft and without the blue sky, I would not have seen them.

"Looking online, it was revealed to be four Typhoon Fighter jets flying at 40,000ft.

"I have seen them before but at a lower level than that."

A spokesman from RAF Coningsby said: "The aircraft seen transiting across the UK were four RAF Typhoons returning from Exercise Red Flag in the US.

"They crossed the Atlantic from Nellis, US Air Force base in Nevada and returned to their home base RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire."

Exercise Red Flag is a regular event for the RAF and for this iteration of the exercise the RAF Typhoons joined with combat and support aircraft from the United States and the Royal Australian Air Force. 

 

During the exercise the three Air Forces faced simulated ground-based air defence systems, aggressor aircraft that simulated a peer adversary, and cyber and space-based threats as combat missions are planned conducted and debriefed.

It involved a large RAF detachment of over 300 personnel taken over to the United States and began on Monday, January 24.

The Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth based 1 (Fighter) Squadron and RAF Coningsby based 41 (Test and Evaluation) Squadron, together with a supporting Voyager with crews from 10 Squadron and 101 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton all took part.

RAF Typhoons reinforce NATO's response to Russia-Ukraine conflict

Typhoons will also form part of the pre-planned Enhanced Vigilance Activity, which is a NATO-led Operation initiated due to the unfolding events in Ukraine.

The RAF announced its fast jets have taken to the skies as part of NATO’s mission to defend Europe.

The activity providing air support ready to defend the region and is a robust response to Russian aggression, contributing to the security of Europe.

The RAF’s contribution is in the form of additional Typhoon FGR4 aircraft, operating from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

The Typhoons, armed with state-of-the-art Air-to-Air missiles and a full suite of defensive aids, are patrolling NATO airspace over Poland and Romania.

Worcester News: Two of the Eurofighter Typhoons flying over Worcester. Picture by Ion RileyTwo of the Eurofighter Typhoons flying over Worcester. Picture by Ion Riley

The Typhoons are supported by RAF Voyager Air-to-air refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton, who offer additional fuel for the fighters so enabling greater range and endurance showing the reach of UK air power to support NATO’s defence mission.

Air Vice-Marshal Phil Robinson, Air Officer Commanding 11 Group, said: “RAF Typhoons working in partnership with our allies are continuing to demonstrate our commitment to NATO.

"We stand ready to defend Europe and the Atlantic region against further aggression.

"I am incredibly proud of the courage and commitment of our aircrew operating across the region and of all our personnel who are supporting them.”