B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 214; Flight Crew Total 12244; Flight Crew Type 9256
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Chart Or Publication; Company Policy; Procedure; Airspace Structure
I the Captain was the Pilot Flying using the autopilot while flying on the RNAV Arrival. Center gave us a vector south off of the lateral path and cleared us to descend to an altitude of 24000 feet. After 1 to 2 minutes on this vector; ATC re-cleared us direct to a fix and to descend to an altitude of 13000 feet. We turned direct and initiated the descent on the autopilot. Almost as soon as we began the descent; we received a TA 'Traffic; traffic' followed immediately by an RA 'Climb; climb now; climb; climb now'. As soon as I heard the TA I started looking for the traffic which appeared to be a flight of 2 aircraft on TCAS and then had to immediately respond to the RA by disconnecting the autopilot and auto-throttles and then following the RA Climb guidance. Neither the First Officer nor I saw the traffic. After receiving a 'Clear of conflict' I re-engaged the autopilot and auto-throttles and resumed the previous ATC clearance. We reported the RA to ATC. ATC said that they'd had several RAs recently due to a change in Departure Procedures. The remainder of the flight continued safely and we landed without further incident.
An Air Carrier pilot reported responding to a TCAS RA for a flight of two military aircraft.