NATO and Partner aircraft to practice Air Policing drills over Estonia

RAMSTEIN, Germany – On 16 and 17 April, German, Polish and Swedish fighter aircraft will fly Air Policing training missions under Ramstein Alloy 19-1 over Estonia practicing Quick Reaction Alert procedures showcasing NATO and Partner coordination and air interoperability.

During the first iteration of the Ramstein Alloy exercise series in 2019, Polish Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft currently leading NATO’s Baltic Air Policing out of Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, German Air Force Eurofighters supporting the mission out of Ämari and Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters will conduct several scenarios. In a simulated loss of communication set-up a Lithuanian Air Force C-27 will fly be intercepted by fighter aircraft in Estonian airspace. An Estonian Police and Border Guard Search and Rescue helicopter will conduct a simulated crew ejection and rescue mission. Fighter jets will train dissimilar air-to-air combat training missions and may conduct practice diversions to alternate air fields in the Baltic region.

All training activities will take place in reserved segregated training areas under overall control of Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem; a NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force E-3A plane is scheduled to provide control during some Ramstein Alloy 19-1 events.

Conducted since 2016, Ramstein Alloys provide a two-day training event, three times a year, to enhance relations among regional Air Forces and to further develop interoperability. Major goals of Ramstein Alloy and past training events include training NATO’s rotational BAP assets and Baltic aircraft controllers, as well as honing cooperation with Partners Finland and Sweden.The Ramstein Alloy exercises take place three times a year in each of the Baltic States and provide an opportunity to train regional Allied and Partner air forces.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office