RAMSTEIN, Germany – Allied Air Command’s premier tactical-level live-fly exercise, Ramstein Flag 2025 (RAFL25), concluded on April 11, reinforcing the Alliance’s commitment to readiness, interoperability, and integrated multi-domain operations.
Hosted by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), RAFL25 brought together around 2000 personnel, over 90 aircraft from more than 15 NATO nations, operating from 12 Allied air bases across Europe. Building upon the inaugural Ramstein Flag 25 (RAFL24), this year's exercise focused on enhancing capabilities in Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial (C-A2/AD), Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), Agile Combat Employment (ACE), and information sharing among participating Allies.
Air superiority is a premise, for the Air Force and for all domains
The scenarios provided a high-intensity training environment, challenging participants to execute complex missions across all warfighting domains: air, land, maritime, cyber, and space. General James Hecker, Commander of NATO Allied Air Command, emphasized the importance of such exercises: "Ramstein Flag 2025 underscores the Alliance’s determination to adapt, evolve, and deter potential threats across the Euro-Atlantic region."
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 is the level of ambition in every contested area of operations. “Air superiority is a premise, for the Air Force and for all domains”, added General Hecker, “we are here today practicing to ensure that if we need to get air superiority, that we have the capability to achieve it.”
A Flag series exercise is based on traditional designations of red, i.e. enemy, and blue, i.e. friendly, aerial systems simulate Air Defence assets that engage offensive or adversary assets, during RAGL25 over 1800 sorties were completed demonstrating the training opportunities for all participating assets.
Ramstein Flag 25 saw around 2000 personnel and over 90 allied aircraft integrate in a complex operating environment. Photo courtesy of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) brought a critical maritime dimension to the integrated air and missile defence training. Photo courtesy of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System was one of the assets delivering command and control throughout the exercise .Photo By Ben Gorski
Ramstein Flag 25 reinforces NATO's ability to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging threats. Photo courtesy of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Lieutenant General André Steur, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, emphasized the importance of exercises such as RAFL25, "When push comes to shove, many will depend on us as a First Responder, tonight if need be. The ability and will to fight together among Allied Air Forces remains NATO’s most significant deterrent.
RAFL25 showcased the collective strength and unity of NATO forces, further developing NATO’s ACE concepts. A notable highlight of RAFL25 was the successful aerial refueling operation where a Turkish Air Force KC-135R tanker refueled Danish F-35s. Additionally, cross-servicing operations were conducted, with the RNLAF and United States F-35s being serviced by each other's crews, showcasing the integration of logistics and maintenance capabilities.
The DARS (NATO's deployable air surveillance and control capability radar) and NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) delivered command and control across a complex and dynamic operational scenario during RAFL25. The DARS played a pivotal role in providing
command and control functions, including real time control, monitoring and
coordination of aerial and missile assets. The AWCAS flying from Geilenkirchen, Germany, provided air surveillance, air battle management, and fighter control in support of this large-scale, live-fly, multi-domain exercise.
“Operating from NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, our crews provided the Command and Control backbone for the exercise, integrating over 90 aircraft from 15 nations into a synchronized and highly-effective force that showcases NATO’s airpower excellence,” said Air Commodore Andy Turk, Deputy Commander NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force. “Exercise Ramstein Flag also provided our crews with excellent training opportunities to refine our large-scale air operations procedures, further enhancing our capabilities and refining our interoperability across the Alliance,” he added
The successful execution of RAFL25 reinforces NATO's ability to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging threats. By integrating advanced tactics and fostering collaboration among member nations, the exercise contributes to the Alliance's deterrence and defence posture.
As NATO continues to adapt to the evolving security landscape, exercises like Ramstein Flag remain vital in ensuring that Allied forces are prepared to defend the Alliance's territory and populations.