MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania – The Spanish Air Force F-18 jets currently conducting NATO enhanced Air Policing out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania supported the French-led Multinational Force “Aigle” during Air-Land Integration drills at the end of August.
We also shared our great experience of working with other Allies especially the Romanian Air Force to safeguard NATO skies contributing to the deterrence and defence mission
From August 26 to 31, the Spanish F-18 fighter pilots flew Close Air Support missions in cooperation with “Aigle” Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs). The Spanish F-18 took off from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base and flew more than 400 kilometres to the vicinity of the Cincu Training Area enabling JTACs to execute control runs with the jets against targets on the ground.
Spanish Air Force F-18s flying alongside a Romanian F-16 during a training sortie. Since August, eight Spanish F-18s have been supporting NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania providing deterrence and defence along the eastern flank.
Archive photo courtesy Spanish Air Force.
A French Mission Aigle Joint Terminal Attack Controller at work in Romania. During Close Air Support manoeuvres, JTACs control final phase of aircraft engagement and "talk" the pilots into position. Photo courtesy French EMACOM.
The French MAMBA air defence system viewed in a position at Capu Midia, Romania. As a crucial component of the French-led multinational force "Aigle" the MAMBA enable ground-based air defence along the eastern flank of NATO.
Archive photo by Manfred Reudenbach.
Air and Land talking to each other - A member of the French led multinational force "Aigle" and a Spanish F-18 fight pilot discuss a fighter jet cockpit during the visit concluding a week of close combined joint training among Allies.
Photo by Spanish Air Force.
In the process, the JTAC patrol teams designated targets and called in one or more aircraft to engage it; the JTACs ensured the terminal control of the attacks as eyes on the ground for the fighter pilots.
After completing the CAS training missions, the JTACs joined the F-18 detachment at Mihail Kogalniceanu. “During an informational visit, our pilots explained to their army colleagues how a deployed NATO air detachment operates away from home in support of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Ichaso Franco, the Spanish F-18 detachment commander. “We also shared our great experience of working with other Allies especially the Romanian Air Force to safeguard NATO skies contributing to the deterrence and defence mission,” he added.
The French-led Multinational Force “Aigle” supports NATO operations in Romania enabling deterrence and defence and executing the Alliance’s regional defence plans; Belgium and Luxembourg also contribute to the force that totals more than 1,500 personnel.
This multinational force is equipped with “Leclerq” tanks, “Caesar” self-propelled artillery systems and the MAMBA ground-based air defence system. The latter regularly contributes to training with Allied fighter detachments e.g during missions simulating base and air defence procedures.
“The aim of these combined joint missions is to integrate different member States’ forces deployed on the eastern flank of NATO and enhance area security,” added Lieutenant Colonel Ichaso Franco. “Frequent training is essential to make us better and to learn how best to execute Collective Deterrence and Defence. Working with the colleagues from the “Aigle” team here on the eastern flank of NATO further increases our cohesion and interoperability – we are ready if needed to respond to potential violations of Allied airspace or territory,” he concluded.