RAMSTEIN, Germany – On February 6-7, 2025, Service members from the Royal Netherlands, Royal Norwegian and United States Air Forces demonstrated readiness, interoperability and maintenance proficiency during Spartan Lightning at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
A total of seven F-35A Lightning II aircraft participated in the exercise, with pilots and maintainers from the Dutch, Norwegian and United States air forces working to achieve key training objectives. The exercise provided the maintainers cross-servicing opportunities; and simulated combat scenarios for the pilot, focusing on both offensive and defensive counter-air missions, designed to sharpen operational capabilities.
This Spartan Lightning iteration was the first of its kind
“This Spartan Lightning iteration was the first of its kind because we flew in seven F-35s to Ramstein for the pilots to participate in the simulator training and for the maintenance personnel to participate in cross-servicing of each other’s airplanes,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jared Marvin, 5th Combat Training Squadron D Flight Commander.
Maintainers from the Dutch, Norwegian and United States air forces coordinated their efforts and learn from one another’s tactics, techniques and procedures. Picture courtesy of the United States Air Force
F-35 tactics and intelligence subject matter experts facilitated mission planning and executed scenarios during the simulations. Picture courtesy of the United States Air Force
Seven F-35A Lightning II aircraft participated in the exercise, with pilots and maintainers from the Dutch, Norwegian and United States air forces. Picture courtesy of the United States Air Force
The exercise integrated F-35 tactics and intelligence experts, facilitating mission planning and executing complex scenarios. These scenarios provide an opportunity for participants to leverage their individual and collective training to develop tactical solutions.
Traditionally a simulated exercise, Spartan Lightning introduced the new concept of flying aircraft and personnel into the event, this allowed for cross-servicing opportunities under NATO’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept.
“We wanted to focus on learning the differences and similarities between how each of our NATO Allies and partners accomplishes aircraft maintenance, with the ultimate goal being to support Agile Combat Employment objectives,” said Master Sergeant Chris Bryant, of the U.S 495th Fighter Generation Squadron avionics section chief from RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. “This way we can have any of our allies and partners send their fighter aircraft and pilots to locations around the NATO theatre and have the confidence that everyone is on the same page and the mission can continue to run smoothly” he added.
Spartan Lightning demonstrated the key role of interoperability in modern combat operations. The exercise created a collaborative environment for nations operating the F-35 to strengthen partnerships and develop shared tactical solutions.
NATO Allies are increasingly embracing this operational scheme of manoeuvre designed to improve resilience and survivability. The concept envisages generating air combat power from both home bases and geographically dispersed locations. It can be used proactively or reactively involving main or deployed operating bases or contingency locations.