Air-Maritime integration at Black Sea overseen by Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejon

RAMSTEIN, Germany - On 29 March an Air Policing training exercise was conducted off the Turkish Black Sea coast showcasing Air-Martime integration.

On the occasion of the SNMG 2 deployment to the Black Sea from 28 March to 18 April, the training event showcased NATO presence in the region and provided practical training benefit to all participants. The event was controlled by NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) at Torrejon, Spain, and flying assets from the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) and the Turkish Air Force.

An NH-90 on-board helicopter from the Royal Nethlerands Navy ship Evertsen, the flagship of SMNG 2, simulated the slow-moving target for an intercept by a Turkish Air Force Quick Reaction Alert F-16 fighter aircraft.

The CAOC at Torrejon is controlling NATO's 24/7 Air Policing mission south of the Alps; along the Black Sea shores, the CAOC works closely with Allies Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Similar training events with Quick Reaction Alert aircraft from Bulgaria and Romania are being coordinated for later in the weeks to come.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office