Scrambling an airforce - a strange phrase to me
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339743)
Rockingham, Australia
November 17, 2024 8:22am CST
The photo has nothing to do with the discussion.
With Russia’s continuing bombardment of Ukraine, its neighbour, Poland, has ‘scrambled its air force and activated all available resources at its disposal’.
Scrambling in this sense seemed a strange choice of word so I looked up ‘scrambling’ in that context and it’s about mobilising military aircraft quickly. But ‘scrambling’ to me sounds like a rather disorganised, spontaneous response to a threat. Which I guess in a way it is.
10 people like this
9 responses
@Fleura (30358)
• United Kingdom
17 Nov
@porwest And birds can fly, but flies can't bird.
As a child I was always confused when people talked of a building being razed to the ground, because I was hearing the word not seeing it so I heard it as 'raised' and wondered whether they somehow dug a hole and then filled it in afterwards 
1 person likes this
@porwest (90286)
• United States
17 Nov
Like razing a building to bring it down, even though it is spelled differently. Gallagher, and American comedian, always made fun of the English language brilliantly, asking questions like why do we call it a building and not a built, or why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway. lol
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106068)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Nov
I knew what it meant. Just sad they feel the need to do that
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106068)
• Marion, Ohio
12h
@JudyEv I am afraid it might soon. That seems to be what Putin wants
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47292)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Nov
Better than scrambling eggs...
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180558)
• United States
17 Nov
It's a shame it has to happen at all.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46938)
• India
17 Nov
Scrambling is very much user for Fighter Aircrafts for a rapid defensive and counter attack.
I read it in a few books and short articles.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46938)
• India
9h
@JudyEv
It is not really panic as Airforce personnel are trained for the scenarios.
Still it is never easy !
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339743)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov
True and done in a moment of panic. That's how it sounds to me too.
@LindaOHio (178225)
• United States
20h
It's a pity that there will always be a conflict somewhere. Have a good week.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339743)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov
I can understand that. There are probably other examples but I can't think of any at the moment.
