RAMSTEIN Germany – NATO Allies practiced a simulated air combat scenario near and over Mihail Kogălniceanu, Romania, July 18, 2024, strengthening Alliance readiness and collective integration of air and ground assets.
This mission is a perfect example of interoperability among the Alliance air forces with different weapon systems anywhere on NATO’s Eastern flank
The exercise’s objectives included practicing joint capabilities, enhancing combat readiness, and integrating air and ground capabilities. NATO fighter jets from Air Policing missions in Lithuania and Romania participated in the training event.
RAF Typhoon jet pilot gets the thumbs up from his ground crew to taxi for takeoff from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, on July 18 for flying in NATO's joint combined training drills. Photo Crown Copyright.
A Spanish Air Force A-400M tactical air refueling aircraft escorted Spanish F-/A-18 jets from Lithuania to the training airspace over Romania Two Finnish Air Force F/A-18 fighters joined the tanker formation during the mission on July 18, 2024. Photo by Finnish Air Force.
On the ground, the French MAMBA ground-based air defence system was integrated into the combined joint drills in Romania. The MAMBA battery has been deployed to Capu Midia training range embedded into NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. Archive photo by Manfred Reudenbach.
A Spanish F/A-18 fighter jet taxies at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, after completing its participation in the training over Romania on July 18. Spain leads NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission in Lithuania and deploys their fighters on Allied vigilance activities along the eastern flank. Photo by Spanish Air Force.
In the scenario, eight attackers – two Spanish F/A-18s, two Finnish F-18s, and four Turkish F-16s – went up against six defenders – two Finnish F/A-18s, two Greek F-16s, and a Royal Air Force Typhoon. Enabling assets included air-to-air refuelers: a Spanish A400 and a Turkish KC-135. On the ground, a French MAMBA ground-air defence asset supported the exercise, too.
All of the coordination of the simulated scenario happened out of the Romanian Air Force’s tactical command and control centre called, Control Reporting Centre (CRC) CRYSTAL. Fully connected to NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) at Torrejon in Spain, CRC CRYSTAL controls the majority of military aircraft operating in the skies over Romania via the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System.
“This mission is a perfect example of interoperability among the Alliance air forces with different weapon systems, anywhere on NATO’s Eastern flank and with assets over the horizon, showing outstanding defence and deterrence capabilities,” said Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Torrejon commander, Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sanchez De Lara. “CAOC Torrejon from Spain, in close coordination with CAOC Uedem back in Germany, trains this way its ability of real-time planning and execution of complex and demanding air operations anywhere in their areas of responsibility,” he added.
This red-air scenario not only showcased NATO Allies working together, but also allowed Allies to enhance NATO’s Air Shielding mission, from the Baltic to the Black Seas, ensuring NATO Allies are better able to safeguard and protect NATO territory, populations, and Allied forces.