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Sep 9 2024

NATO Allies demonstrate Close Air Support capabilities in the Baltic States

RAMSTEIN, Germany - Italian Air Force Eurofighter jets support Air-Land Integration missions during a NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup training exercise.  


From August 19 to September 6, 2024, exercise Furious Wolf ran from the Baltic region of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania providing valuable training for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) from NATO’s Allied forces. 

Operating in these scenarios enables us to verify our tactical skills and asses our ability to work with our NATO Allies

Italian Eurofighters of the Task Force Air - 36th Wing, currently deployed under NATO’s Air Policing mission in Šiauliai, Lithuania, contributed significantly to the air component of the exercise in day and night missions as well as with the support of multinational tank crews present within the Area of Responsibility. The Italian detachment provided the aerial platforms to enable JTACs controlling flying sorties over the Baltic Region for Close Air Support missions.


An Italian Eurofighter taking off from Šiauliai, Lithuania, to participate in Close Air Support training with Allied ground troops demonstrating deterrence and defence in the Baltic Sea region. Archive photo courtesy Italian Air Force. 

Spanish and Italian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) observing an Italian Eurofighter flying over their position during exercise Furious Wolf, Photo courtesy Italian Air Force. 

Close Air Support procedures in urban terrain pose a special challenge for both forces on the ground and fighter pilots and require precise and standardised tactics, techniques and procedures. Photo courtesy Italian Air Force. 
"Furious Wolf offered a demanding operational context in which I have had the privilege of participating. The international environment together with challenging situations in the field have allowed me to deal with complex tactical situations ensuring a professional growth of absolute value” said Italian Eurofighter pilot Captain Marco N. “Operating in these scenarios means having the opportunity to assess the concreteness and validity of the tactical training we complete at home and appraise the level of standardization and effectiveness together with our NATO Allies," he added

JTACs from Allies Czechia, France, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Polish Battlegroups participated in Furious Wolf. During the exercise air and ground forces demonstrated multi-domain interoperability in a complex training environment.

Close Air Support is a specific type of mission where air assets work in support of friendly ground units, in close proximity to the enemy forces. Such missions require detailed integration between the JTAC on the ground and fighter pilots to coordinate air power and troops' movements on the battlefield.

The exercise focused on a wide spectrum of operations from air defence, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance activities to air-to-ground attacks. Participants tested a range of operational proficiencies that aim to enhance NATO’s overall capabilities.

The exercise also enabled the verification and improvement of standard operating procedures, guaranteeing a rapid and coordinated response in the event of a crisis. Furious Wolf sends a clear and strong message that the NATO Alliance is united and determined to defend common values and ensure collective security and defence.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office based on information provided by the Italian Air Force

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