RAMSTEIN, Germany – From September 23 to 25, a Multinational MRTT Unit A330 air refueler conducted in-flight refueling operations with Swedish JAS-39 Gripen and Italian Eurofighter jets which also executed combined aerial training.
Thanks to activities, our pilots are able to conduct major training events with various international players operating in their area of responsibility, both to refine quick reaction alert skills and to maintain a high level of operational proficiency
The manoeuvres in Scandinavian and Baltic skies allowed Swedish and Italian fighter pilots to improve their skills in simulated air combat, testing tactics, techniques and procedures in air-to-air missions and strengthening mutual cooperation.
A Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter jet viewed during aerial combat training from the cockpit of an Italian Eurofighter pilot. Photo courtesy Italian Air Force.
Air-to-air refueling is a key enable during combined Allied air operations. On September 24, Italian and Swedish jets refueled from an MMU -330 MRTT tanker aircraft. Photo courtesy Italian Air Force.
The opportunity to conduct aerial combat drills in an international setting is crucial for the participating air forces because the intensity and persistence of air policing missions often leave little time for advanced combined training. Photo courtesy Italian Air Force.
A Swedish JAS-39 Gripen refueling from an MMU A-330 MRTT aircraft during a previous mission underlining the close integration of the youngest NATO member into Allied tactics, techniques and procedures. Archive picture courtesy Swedish Air Force.
A Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU) A-330 tanker aircraft, based out of Eindhoven, the Netherlands, enabled all training missions by extending the “play time” the jets had for their training. Air-to-air refueling increases operational endurance of fighter jets and demonstrates the effectiveness and high level of integration and interoperability among NATO air forces.
The opportunity to conduct these exercises in an international scenario is crucial for the participating air forces because the intensity and necessary persistence of air policing missions often leave limited opportunities for advanced training.
“Thanks to these intense activities, our Italian pilots are able to conduct major training events with the various international players operating in their area of responsibility, both to refine quick reaction alert skills and to maintain a high level of operational proficiency,” said Colonel Michele Nasto, Commander of the Italian Eurofighter detachment currently leading NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission out of Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania.
The Swedish Air Force is a regular participant in combined Allied training activities. On many occasions, the JAS-39 Gripen pilots have demonstrated their deep integration into NATO drills and Allied tactics, techniques and procedures. Swedish JAS-39 were certified to refuel with an A-330 MRTT in September 2022; they conducted their first live refueling with an MMU tanker aircraft in March 2024.