Log in
A+ A A-

Ramstein flag 24: NATO’s largest Air Force exercise held in Andravida

Featured Ramstein flag 24: NATO’s largest Air Force exercise held in Andravida

Since Monday, September 30, NATO’s “air heartbeat” has been centered at the 117th Combat Wing of the Hellenic Air Force. For the first time in Europe, the NATO.

A striking element of the exercise is NATO’s official video, featuring footage of the island of Ai Stratis, home to a monument for fallen pilot Nikos Salmas, who died in 1992 during an air battle with a Turkish F-16. The exercise symbolically highlights Greece’s role in safeguarding its airspace.

The Importance of the Exercise

According to NATO’s Air Command, the exercise is part of a strategic necessity to continuously affirm NATO’s air superiority. The exercise addresses changes in European security, specifically after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022, making it essential to test capabilities and integrate new forces.

The goal of “Ramstein Flag 24,” as stated by U.S. General James B. Hecker, is to ensure that allied forces are trained to maintain air superiority. The exercise is designed to improve decision-making capabilities in complex, dynamic operational environments, reinforcing cooperation and interoperability among NATO members.

aeroplano__4_
aeroplano__5_

Participating aircraft include F-35s from the U.S. and Italy, French Rafales and Mirage 2000-5s, Gripens from Sweden and Hungary, Eurofighter Typhoons, U.S. F-18s, and F-16s from various countries, along with NATO and French AWACS planes. The exercise also involved naval and special forces, including air refueling support from Canadian aircraft based in Preveza and British ISR aircraft from Souda Bay, Crete.

aeroplano__6_
aeroplano__7_

Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD)

NATO’s Air Command emphasized the importance of integrating fighter aircraft, ground systems, surveillance aircraft, and naval forces to ensure a strong and effective Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) system. This is crucial given the increased missile and drone threats near NATO borders due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Media