ŠIAULIAI AIR
BASE, Lithuania -- NATO and Partner aircraft from Portugal, the United Kingdom,
Finland, and the United States trained quick reaction aircrews and controllers here
June 7-8 during the second Ramstein Alloy exercise. Through training scenarios designed for the thrice-annual
event, air and ground crews heightened and honed their skills, which support
NATO Alliance and Partner quick reaction techniques, tactics and procedures to
support safe and secure skies in the region.
Previously named
Baltic Regional Training Events –or BRTEs—the Ramstein Alloy exercise enables additional
training for the newest rotation of aircraft and personnel supporting NATO’s BAP
mission in the region. Portugal and the United
Kingdom serve as the current BAP nations, based here and in Amari, Estonia,
respectively. In addition, Alliance
Partner Finland provided interceptor aircraft to conduct live flying activities
and exercise quick reaction scenarios. United States Air Force tankers and an E-3D
Airborne Early Warning plane from Royal Air Force Waddington also flew in support
of Ramstein Alloy 2.
"The additional
training opportunities helped further develop relationships among NATO Member
and Partner air forces and increased interoperability between aircrew, aircraft
and ground crews,” said German Lieutenant Colonel Uwe Glasner, Allied Combined Air Operation
Centre (CAOC) Uedem Ramstein Alloy planner.
"Additional
objectives achieved through this Ramstein Alloy included reinforcing common aircraft
identification methods, training on procedures for assisting aircraft in
distress and exercising military and civilian agency cooperation across
regional borders,” Lieutenant Colonel Glasner further explained.
Ramstein Alloy 2’s
program included dissimilar aircraft training of Allied and Partner fighter
aircraft, as well air-to-air refuelling, airborne controlling from the E-3D,
and search and rescue scenarios. Other aerial training conducted occurred at
altitudes above 20,000 ft. or 6,000 m, barely visible from the ground.
The Ramstein Alloy exercise series, executed
through NATO’s Headquarters Allied Air Command at Ramstein, Germany, and the
Allied CAOC Uedem, Germany, helps assure and train NATO Allies and Partners in
the Baltic region. The event is designed to enhance relations among regional air
and ground forces and to further develop interoperability through defensive
practice drills.