F-35 takes over QRA role from F-16

On 6 January 2022, the Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) F-35A Lightning II officially took over the Quick Reaction Alert (GRA) mission from the F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon.

With the transfer of authority the QRA mission will now occur from Evenes air base. The event is a historical milestone for the RNoAF, which ended the F-16 fleet's 42 year-long mission serving Norway and NATO.

For the past decades, the Fighting Falcons flew their QRA missions from Bodø air base in northern Norway. Evenes air base lies a little further north and is currently under development and construction to house both F-35s and the coming fleet of Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrolling Aircraft (MPA).

Photo by NATO