RAMSTEIN, Germany - On 6 March 2025, NATO Allied aircraft from NATO nations, the U.S., and The Netherlands, supported by NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and German Tankers, executed a routine and pre-planned Find, Fix, Track and Target (F2T2) exercise in Estonian airspace.
Find, Fix, Track and Target potential threats from the ground shows that NATO, as a defensive Alliance, is prepared to timely respond to any possible challenges.
Once again NATO Allies have executed a multi-domain exercise to train as we fight. Allied Air Forces and Alliance capabilities from other domains worked together, showcasing NATO unity, interoperability, strength, unity and resolve. NATO AWACS worked closely with a U.S. Bomber Task Force while conducting a Dynamic Targeting Exercise.
A pilot in a B-52 Stratofortress looks on, as the bombers are escorted by NATO Allied fighter jets. B-52s participated in an AIRCOM-led F2T2, 6 March. F2T2 exercises are designed to improve interoperability by integrating ISR assets with strike-capable aircraft and GMLRS in real-time targeting scenarios. Participants were tasked with locating and tracking potential targets and then coordinating a simulated strike within a specified timeframe, both pre-planned and dynamic targets. Courtesy photo U.S. Air Force
Aircrew work operations during an F2T2, working closely with a U.S. Bomber Task Force conducting a Dynamic Targeting Exercise. Through this exercise, NATO AWACS crew members successfully integrated with fighter, bomber, ISR, and ground assets while providing our aircrew with an authentic training opportunity to support and integrate with multi-national, multi-platform Allied assets to accomplish our shared objective – to defend every inch of NATO territory. Courtesy photo NAEW AWACS.
NATO AWACS worked closely with a U.S. Bomber Task Force while conducting a Dynamic Targeting Exercise. Through this exercise, NATO AWACS crew members successfully integrated with fighter, bomber, ISR, and ground assets while providing our aircrew with an authentic training opportunity to support and integrate with multi-national, multi-platform Allied assets to accomplish our shared objective – to defend every inch of NATO territory. Courtesy photo NAEW AWACS.
A B-52 Stratofortress soars through the sky as part of this iteration of the Bomber Task Force in Europe. B-52s participated in an AIRCOM-led F2T2, 6 March. F2T2 exercises are designed to improve interoperability by integrating ISR assets with strike-capable aircraft and GMLRS in real-time targeting scenarios. Participants were tasked with locating and tracking potential targets and then coordinating a simulated strike within a specified timeframe, both pre-planned and dynamic targets. Courtesy photo U.S. Air Force
The exercise offers excellent training opportunities in a realistic and complex operational environment to strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence posture.
“Find, Fix, Track and Target potential threats from the ground shows that NATO, as a defensive Alliance, is prepared to timely respond to any possible challenges”, said General James Hecker, Commander of NATO Allied Air Command.
Allied aircrew on NATO’s AWACS and Estonian CRC-coordinated actions during a F2T2. The exercises are designed to improve interoperability by integrating ISR assets with strike-capable aircraft in real-time targeting scenarios. Air Command and Control (Air C2) is one of the priorities of NATO Allied Air Command.
“This successful exercise highlights our collective capability to defend and deter any threats with the strength and unity of our Allies. The seamless cooperation between different domains and countries involved further strengthens our shared commitment to peace and stability in the region,” said Estonian Air Force Commander Brigadier General Toomas Susi.
For the first time, Estonian Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) participated in the F2T2. A good example of the integration of different NATO-assets working together to achieve intended effects of the simultaneously combined joint ground targeting process.
With synchronized F2T2, the Allied F-35 Lightning II and B-52 Stratofortress could execute the pre-planned training mission successfully.
F2T2 exercises are designed to improve interoperability by integrating ISR assets with strike-capable aircraft and GMLRS in real-time targeting scenarios. Participants were tasked with locating and tracking potential targets and then coordinating a simulated strike within a specified timeframe, both pre-planned and dynamic targets. These exercises are vital in enhancing NATO’s Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial (C-A2AD) and Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capabilities, two key operational priorities for NATO’s air forces.
This exercise builds on NATO’s commitment to maintaining a high level of operational readiness ahead of Ramstein Flag 2025, a large-scale NATO airpower exercise set to take place in the coming months. By continuously refining its multi-domain operational capabilities, NATO reaffirms its ability to deter threats and defend Allied territory.