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Fighter jets on Swiss highways: What was practiced sporadically in the 1970s and 1980s, the army wants to repeat at the beginning of June on the A1 highway between Avenches VD and Payerne VD. The most important questions and answers.
How does the exercise work?
The highway will be closed from Tuesday, June 4, 9:00 PM to Thursday, June 6, 9:00 AM. The actual exercise, called ‘Alpha Uno’, will take place on June 5. The military is still silent about what it entails. Exactly this: “The test will be conducted in two waves, one in the morning and one in the afternoon,” the Army wrote. Four F/A-18 fighter jets will be deployed each time.
Why does the military practice this?
The army justifies the exercise by saying that Switzerland has only three jet airfields: Payerne, Emmen LU and Meiringen BE. “So it has concentrated all its resources in a few places, which makes it correspondingly fragile and vulnerable.” To minimize this risk, the air force relies, among other things, on decentralization and wants to be able to take off and land the fighter jets from improvised locations – such as a highway.
Why is this happening in the middle of the week?
A closed highway in the middle of the week. There is a good chance that motorists will be annoyed. The Federal Roads Office (Astra) is reassuring. “On weekdays, an average of approximately 23,500 vehicles drive on the affected road section.” Compared to other parts of the A1, the traffic intensity is quite low. Diversions are indicated.
Astra estimates personnel costs at a maximum of 100,000 francs.
What does that mean for the road?
The fighter jets on the highway cast their shadows ahead. The disassembly of the guardrails starts the weekend before. For safety reasons, traffic is kept to one lane. “In addition, the speed will be reduced to 80 kilometers per hour.”
The army writes that the highway section near Payerne airport has been designed in such a way that it can be converted into a temporary runway as easily as possible.
Special markings would be applied so that the planes can take off and land safely. These are removed again after the exercise.
After the effort, the condition should be restored within two to three days. The army promises that the highway will be checked in advance. “If minor repair work is required, it will be carried out in the following days.”
For reasons of flight safety, special markings have also been placed that can be removed after the exercise.
Can you watch the exercise?
The exercise takes place as part of a refresher course, the army writes. “Due to the available space, it is not possible to experience the test up close.” After all, there are a limited number of places for journalists and spotters. Registration for these places is possible from mid-May.
Source:Blick
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