Ramstein Flag  /  Media Centre  /  News  /  Aerial Refueling keeps Alliance moving during Ramstein Flag 2024

ANDRAVIDA, Greece – As the first of its kind, NATO’s exercise Ramstein Flag 2024 continues to demonstrate the ability of the Alliance to conduct multi-domain operations to achieve air superiority.

The key in any conflict and long-range mission will be the ability to keep our planes moving and executing missions to achieve air superiority

One of the capabilities the Allies demonstrate during Ramstein Flag 2024 was the ability to have aircraft perform aerial refueling. Participating aircraft that provided aerial refueling included the U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, the Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris, the French Air and Space Force Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport and an Italian Air Force KC-767. 

Showcasing transatlantic link in NATO, a U.S. Air Force KC-135 from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, refuels Hellenic Air Force F-16s during exercise Ramstein Flag 2024. Photo by Edgar Grimaldo.

A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris air-to-air refueling aircraft, flying out of Aktio Air Base in Greece, showcased Canada's key support to NATO exercise Ramstein Flag. Archive photo courtesy Royal Canadian Air Force.

A French Air and Space Force A330 MRTT refueler enables the force projection of Romanian Air Force F-16 jets to particpate in Ramstein Flag 2024. Photo courtesy Romanian Air Force.

Italy has Eurofighter deployed at Andravida, Greece. Their F-35 jets regularly fly out of Amendola to join Ramstein Flag missions enabled by an Italian KC-767A. Archive photo by Italian Air Force.

“The key in any conflict and long-range mission will be the ability to keep our planes moving and executing missions to achieve air superiority,” says Hellenic Air Force Colonel Vasileios “Bill” Panagoulias, NATO Allied Air Command officer with spokesperson for exercise Ramstein Flag. “Our aerial refuelers give the Alliance this vital capability enabling us with global reach to execute our missions anywhere. Training this aspect in the complex Ramstein Flag scenario is vital for our crews,” he added.

The aerial refuelers of the Alliance continue to support Ramstein Flag 2024 as the exercise enters the second week of execution in Greece with twelve Allies and over 130 fighter and other enabler aircraft showcasing integral components of Air Power at work together to keep the Alliance secure and its air forces prepared.