RAMSTEIN, Germany – On September 30 and October 1, NATO exercise Ramstein Alloy 24-3 is scheduled to take place over Latvia. Allied fighter and support aircraft will practice common Quick Reaction Alert procedures to further develop integration and readiness to protect NATO airspace in the Baltic Sea region.
Ramstein Alloy provides a valuable training opportunity to the rotational Baltic Air Policing detachments and other regional air forces
“Ramstein Alloy provides a valuable training opportunity to the rotational Baltic Air Policing detachments and other regional air forces,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ioannis Samartzis, the project officer for the exercise series at Allied Air Command. “The traditional tow-day-drills enhance air safety in the Baltic Sea Region and further builds relationships among NATO Allies,” he added.
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German Eurofighters, deployed at Lielvarde, Latvia, since early 2024 safeguarding the skies under NATO aegis, are scheduled to join the two-day multinational training drills. Archive photo courtesy Bundeswehr.
Italian Eurofighter, leading NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission at, Šiauliai, Lithuania, are training with other jets enhancing a Baltic Sea security. Photo courtesy Italian Air Force.
During Ramstein Alloy 24-3, the Spanish NASAMS air defence system deployed at Lielvarde under NATO arrangements will add to a realistic training environment allowing to simulate integrated air defence drills. Archive photo courtesy Spanish Armed Forces.
Air Surveillance and Control functions during the one-day exercise will be provided by a NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft and regional control and reporting centres. Archive photo courtesy NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force.
During the exercise, the fighter jets of the current Baltic Air Policing detachments from Italy and Germany will be joined by jets from Finland and a Latvian support aircraft. Spanish fighters are scheduled to fly in from their current NATO deployment in Romania to conduct aerial manoeuvres and add complexity to the training.
Spanish Ground-Based Air Defence Systems will support the two-day training event conducting Integrated Air and Missile Defence with fighter aircraft in Latvia.
Alongside Baltic nations’ Control and Reporting Centres, NATO’s Early Warning and Control System aircraft will participate in the multinational exercise, tactically controlling the manoeuvres. Air-to-Air Refueling support will be provided by aircraft from the Multinational MRTT Unit based out of Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
Allied Air Command and NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany, conduct Ramstein Alloy exercises three times a year offering opportunities to the in-place Baltic Air Policing detachments for training with regional air forces.
“Ramstein Alloy 24-3 will continue demonstrating NATO’s commitment to the Baltic States while maintaining a defensive mindset to avoid provoking any neighboring non-participating states,” said Lieutenant Colonel Samartzis.
Conducting a multinational exercise in the region is a legitimate regular activity required to maintain the currency of NATO air forces in executing collective defense tasks and enhancing air safety in the Baltic Sea region through standard procedures for identifying and/or assisting aircraft in distress.