RAF Lossiemouth is getting ready to launch its biggest challenge in recent years as Exercise Moray Guardian takes off.
Our picture shows a Typhoon jet shooting into the air as part of Quick Reaction Alert.
The response is designed to intercept threats to UK airspace with the Typhoons springing into action within 10 minutes at any time of day or night.
RAF Lossiemouth will host an 11-day exercise from Monday when a range of potential scenarios will be tested including night flying and essential aircraft engineering following any sorties.
The jets will also be prepared to scramble to incoming ‘threats’.
It marks the last opportunity for a final test prior to the transition of Quick Reaction Alert transferring from RAF Leuchars in Fife to Lossiemouth.
The Moray base’s station commander, Group Captain Mark Chappell, said: “Exercise Moray Guardian marks a significant point in RAF Lossiemouth’s calendar.
“Both RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth personnel have done a lot of hard work over the past few months to reach this stage, and I’m confident that this station will be ready to take over Quick Reaction Alert North duties in September.
“This exercise is the final opportunity to assess our preparedness for Quick Reaction Alert and I’m happy that our personnel and processes are ready for the task.
“We will be carrying out a number of exercises which may on occasion be noticeable to the public.
“But all the work we do is essential, and ultimately puts us in the best position to provide the service to the United Kingdom that the Royal Air Force was primarily created for – that is, the protection of our airspace.”
The strategically important position of RAF Lossiemouth on the northern Scottish coastline makes it an ideal location to maintain aircraft and crews on high alert.
The RAF Lossiemouth base welcomed 6 Squadron Typhoon crews from Leuchars in June.