LECHFELD, Germany - Multinational cooperation of air forces at Bavarian air base during exercise Air Defender. One of the bases involved in German-led multinational exercise Air Defender 23 is located in the south of Germany at near Augsburg in Bavaria.
It is a strong display of Germany’s commitment and capabilities
It is the home base for US National Guard A-10 aircraft, Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jets and German Luftwaffe helicopters. US F-16 jets and C-130 transport aircraft flew into and out of Lechfeld during the first week of the exercise.
The US Air National Guard A-10 “Warthog” planes are reliable single-seat twin-turbofan aircraft and have been in service since the late 1970s. They have a track record for providing close air support to friendly ground troops attacking vehicles and forces on the ground. During exercise Air Defender they fly out of Lechfeld supporting German CH-35 helicopters in a combined Personnel Rescue Mission. Meanwhile the Hellenic Air Force F-16 multi-role fighter jets take off from Lechfeld to join combined large-scale air operations in the training areas across Germany.
German H-145M light helicopters which are mainly used by Special Forces are deployed to Lechfeld for the entire duration of the exercise and they are integrated in combined special operations.
The US Air National Guard A-10 “Warthog” planes are reliable single-seat twin-turbofan aircraft and have been in service since the late 1970s. Photo by: Ingo Tesche
The geographic dimension of the exercise and more than 1,000 military flights in the first week alone underscore the importance of this exercise for the international participants, Host Nation Germany and also NATO. Photo by: Ingo Tesche
Hellenic Air Force F-16 multi-role fighter jets take off from Lechfeld to join combined large-scale air operations in the training areas across Germany. Photo by Bundeswehr Kevin Schrief
Multinational cooperation of air forces at Bavarian air base during exercise Air Defender. Photo by: Ingo Tesche
The German Air Force as Host Nation enables the efficient multinational training by operating the air bases, accommodating personnel and material, ensuring logistic and medical support. An Air-Refuelling and Staging Area has been established right above the Air Base Lechfeld. On a daily basis jets participating in the exercise are refuelling here and fly their missions in the Exercise Area South above the southwest of Germany.
Besides Area south, the exercise involves training activities in two areas in the east and the north. Moreover, participants conduct Composite Air Operations into Estonia and Romania on so-called out-and-back deployment in support of the exercise scenario. The areas in the north and east are mostly used by Allied jets flying out of the air bases Schleswig, Wunstorf, Neuburg and Spangdahlem. The geographic dimension of the exercise and more than 1,000 military flights in the first week alone underscore the importance of this exercise for the international participants, Host Nation Germany and also NATO.
During his recent visit to exercise Air Defender, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recalled the importance of air defence. He and explained this exercise shows “NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, and every inch of Allied airspace”, with forces from Europe and North America training together. “It is a strong display of Germany’s commitment and capabilities,” he said.