He added: “I’m proud of the outstanding British pilots and air crew who took part in this successful operation to defend our allies from reckless Russian aggression.”
Two fighter jets took off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Friday night to patrol Poland’s skies, supported by an RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, before returning to the UK early on Saturday, the MoD said.
Nato had announced the mission, dubbed the Eastern Sentry, on 10 September following 19 drone incursions into Polish airspace.
Then Healey confirmed that the UK would be involved when he visited RAF Brize Norton five days later.
Describing Russia’s actions as “reckless, dangerous and unprecedented,” he said: “When we are threatened, we respond together.”