LEEUWARDEN, Netherlands – Allied Air Command’s exercise Ramstein Flag 25 (RAFL25) demonstrates NATO's resolve, commitment and ability to deter potential adversaries and defend the Alliance through highly sophisticated multi-domain operations.
RAFL25 builds not only on the lessons identified during RAFL24 but also lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine. To gain and maintain air superiority in a potential conflict remains the level of ambition in every contested area of operations. Air superiority is a premise not only for Air Forces but for all warfighting domains.
Ramstein Flag 2025 underscores the Alliance’s determination to adapt, evolve, and deter potential threats across the Euro-Atlantic region
“Ramstein Flag 2025 underscores the Alliance’s determination to adapt, evolve, and deter potential threats across the Euro-Atlantic region,” said General James Hecker, Commander of NATO Allied Air Command. “This year’s exercise builds on the successes of Ramstein Flag 2024 and continues to push the boundaries of realistic, high-intensity training to enhance NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.”
Allied integration has been the critical enable as Ramstein Flag pushes the boundaries of realistic, high-intensity training. Photo by Arnaud Chamberlin
NATO Deployable Air Control Centre, Recognised Air Picture Production Centre, Sensor Fusion Post (DARS) during Ramstein Flag 25. Photo by Arnaud Chamberlin
Over 90 Allied aircraft from 15 Allied Nations and over 2000 personnel are operating during Ramstein Flag 25. Photo by Arnaud Chamberlin
Air, Land, Maritime, Cyber and Space fully integrated and seamlessly share information during Ramstein Flag 25. Photo courtesy of the RNLAF
Priorities for RAFL25 include exercising Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial (C-A2AD) and Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD). The threat on forward airbases from cruise and ballistic missiles can impose anti-access. With this capability the enemy can deny access for Allied aircraft and create no-fly zones. C-A2/AD measures are used to neutralize adversary military infrastructure, to deter adversaries and remove limitations on friendly forces to move freely in a given region. C-A2/AD and IAMD, missions rely on all warfighting domains to execute successfully.
During RAFL25 Air, Land, Maritime, Cyber and Space are fully integrated and seamlessly sharing information. From Space and Cyber Subject Matter Experts, Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, a Dutch Maritime Frigate operating from the North Sea, to over 90 Allied aircraft from 15 Allied Nations; operating from 12 airbases across the NATO theatre, integration has been the critical enabler. Over 2 000 personnel have supported RAFL25 demonstrating the scale of the exercise and, all benefitting from the most advanced highly-sophisticated training opportunities in complex multi-domain operations.
As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, so too must NATO's exercise design. Exercises like Ramstein Flag signify the future of NATO exercises, focusing on current and future threats, to maintaining peace and ensure NATO's Air Forces are prepared to defend the alliance.