This iteration of the Ramstein Alloy exercise series was hosted by Lithuania, with Allies Denmark, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey and NATO Partner Finland, as well as NATO E-3A AWACS, cooperating together during the varied training drills. A Royal Netherlands Air Force KDC-10 air-to-air refuelling aircraft and a Lithuanian Air Force C-27 transport plane also enabled the training activities.
The ability to integrate, plan and execute a multinational exercise like this demonstrates the reach, flexibility and interoperability of NATO airpower. Definitely, we are stronger together
"The Ramstein Alloy is an excellent training opportunity for the Portuguese Air Force detachment in the Baltic. The ability to integrate, plan and execute a multinational exercise like this demonstrates the reach, flexibility and interoperability of NATO airpower. Definitely, we are stronger together," stated Major Paulo Silva, Portuguese detachment Commander at Šiauliai, Air Base.
The focus of the event was on the training of drills, procedures and processes for quick reaction forces that safeguard the skies in the region. Besides the rotating Baltic Air Policing nations, the exercise brought together regional Allies and Partners to practice simulated scenarios such as communications loss and slow mover intercepts. The same applies to the Air Command and Control practise during air-to-air combat training, which was provided by NATO E-3A.
"The Royal Danish Air Force has taken part in NATO Air Policing over Baltic States six times since 2004. In addition, RDAF has deployed two times as enhanced Air Policing (eAP) at Amari Air Base in Estonia 2014 and Siauliai AB in 2019. The Air Policing mission is therefore not unfamiliar for us, due to the many deployments here. The nature of flying here is almost like deploying to the neighbour next door and flying in the yard we know from close distance," stated Major Dim, Operations Commander for the Danish detachment at Šiauliai.
During the first day, some participating fighters were re-tasked to enable essential Quick Reaction Alert missions. NATO fighters across all European Allies are on 24/7 standby ready to launch upon orders from the Combined Air Operations Centres at Uedem, Germany, and Torrejón, Spain to maintain territorial integrity of Alliance territory and collective deterrence and defence. In the Baltic Sea region, Allies cooperate with neighbouring Partners enhancing cooperation and interoperability in security matters.