RAMSTEIN, Germany - Allied fighters supported by NATO AWACs and other key enablers have been busy training in the complex live fly environment provided by exercise Real Thaw in Portugal, June 27 to July 8.
Thanks to the teamwork, dedication and good crew interaction of our personnel NATO AWACS is able to provide reliable and high level Command and Control during Real Thaw
Allied aircraft from 7 nations totaling 54 aircraft have been deployed at No. 11 Airbase Beja, Portugal for the last two weeks. The exercise has allowed crews to focus on improving interoperability and sharing best practice in realistic multi-domain scenario.
Two NATO E-3A AWACS deployed in Spain have been participating in the exercise. A team of 80 NATO operators, pilots, technicians, logistics and support personnel is operating from Morón Air Base in Southern Spain to provide Command and Control for fighter aircraft and other participants of the Portuguese Air Force led exercise.
Allied aircraft from 7 nations totaling 54 aircraft have been deployed at NO. 11 Airbase Beja in Portugal. The exercise has allowed crews to focus on improving interoperability and sharing best practice in realistic multi-domain scenario. Photo courtesy: Portuguese Air Force
Two NATO E-3A AWACS are participating in the exercise Real Thaw in Portugal. A team of 80 NATO operators, pilots, technicians, logistics and support personnel is operating from Morón Ari Base in Spain. Photo courtesy: NATO AWACS TEAM
The wide scale of different air combat scenarios and air assets in Real Thaw provides an excellent opportunity for new operators to learn the Airborne Early Warning and Control System. For experienced NATO AWACS Operators, the many training moments are used to improve their skills in a challenging scenario involving many fighter aircrafts.
"Our participation in this exercise is importance in order to maintain a high proficiency within the E-3A Component," said Major Patricia, Tactical Director, NATO AWACS Force. "Our operators can widen their skillset and keep up with the new tactics of all types of fighters. The challenging scenarios require us to stay focused. Thanks to the teamwork, dedication and good crew interaction of our personnel NATO AWACS is able to provide reliable and high level Command and Control during Real Thaw."
Operating in the high-level tactical exercise Real Thaw maximizes the integration and interoperability between the NATO partners of Belgium, France, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the United States and the multinational aircrews of NATO AWACS in order to strengthen the Alliance.