Overview
- A Quick Reaction Alert was issued at 10:20, two jets launched, and at 16:43 the defence ministry confirmed the radar contact was a drone that left the airspace.
- Air battle control in Nieuw-Milligen and the Control and Reporting Centre in Bevekom directed the response and monitor Benelux airspace around the clock.
- Crews at Volkel keep armed F-35s ready on an isolated strip and can be airborne within seconds, according to pilot Maj. Stephan.
- A defence spokesperson declined to disclose whether the drone was armed.
- QRA duty rotates among Volkel, Leeuwarden and Belgian bases, with the Netherlands flying F-35s and Belgium operating F-16s for the mission.