Posted on 04/17/2010 10:09:20 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Air forces across Europe struggled to cope as a volcanic ash cloud that has also halted most commercial services swept across the continent from Iceland, officials said Saturday.
The fine volcanic dust can clog jet engines, causing them to flame out in some cases, or leaving them irreparably damaged.
"We have redeployed units to the south of France due to the closure of air space, to be able to ensure transport missions, patrols and policing of the skies", Major Frederic Solano told AFP.
Aircraft assigned to permanent standby had been based at Dijon and Tours in the centre, Orange in the south and Mont-de-Marsan in the south west, Solano said.
Including fighters, fighter-bombers, helicopters, a flying tanker and an AWACS radar and control aircraft, they are on a few minutes' notice for take-off.
Regarding France's nuclear deterrent, some of which is airborne, Solano said the air force was "capable of carrying out this mission at any time".
In Britain, the defence ministry said it had "suspended all non-essential flying above 3,000 feet (around 1,000 metres). Essential helicopter operations have resumed under 3,000 feet."
Germany suspended its military aviation until Monday morning. "The impact is less significant at the weekend because there are fewer flight exercises at this time", an air force spokesman said.
The Luftwaffe was still authorising "urgent" and "necessary" flights however, including rescue operations, it said.
Switzerland's defence ministry spokesman said its airspace closure also applied to all military aircraft, with the only exceptions being search and rescue flights, as stipulated by the civil aviation authority.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.ph.msn.com ...
It should be an interesting weapon that can spew ash around vital airspace that needs defending.
Cape and trade, and their liberal environmental policies will have the same effect on the economy... ex specially when fuel prices get so high not even the airlines can or will be able to afford it, or the average person be able to afford a airline ticket, I don’t know why they are crying about this.
article and pics here about the finnish aircraft that did experience some (very light) ash before the main ash cloud reached finland.
That's true. And just wait until Iceland gets the bill for the carbon credits it needs to offset their volcano.
What a time for the old Sovs to come west through the Fulda Gap!
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