Military Transport
Air Traffic Control Developmental
Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
Aircraft X was part of a flight of 3. They were out of 12;000 descending into MWH airspace; MWH had assigned 050 and coordinated an unrestricted descent. Aircraft X could no longer see the other flight members; and began a climb to FL200. MWH APCH called and informed us of the deviation; but the aircraft climbed very fast and didn't notify anyone until well after. There was no traffic there; but there easily could have been [another aircraft] climbing out of GEG or landing LWS lower than FL200. Aircraft X did not follow appropriate protocol or declare an emergency in this situation; leaving MWH APCH and Sector 18 unaware.[I request] that the military follow proper protocol for breaking apart a flight in these conditions. They were never assigned FL200; so why they chose to climb that high is very odd and dangerous.
Aircraft X flight of 3; nonstandard formation was at an altitude of 12;000 feet; assigned 11;000 feet and handed off to Moses Lake approach control (MWH) for descent into their airspace and entry into an IR route. MWH approached called to advise that Aircraft X had to 'de-conflict' themselves from the flight and had climbed to FL200 without warning; or a clearance or declaring emergency.The pilot in this instance needs further training into the ramifications of climbing like this without clearance and or any kind of warning.
ZSE controllers describe a situation where an aircraft climbs from 12;000 feet to FL200 to de-conflict the flight without advising anyone or declaring an emergency.