ANDRAVIDA, Greece - As the first of its kind in NATO, Ramstein Flag will demonstrate NATO's resolve, commitment and ability to deter potential adversaries and defend the Alliance through highly sophisticated multi-domain operations.
"The exercise is crucial for maintaining peace and ensuring NATO's Air Forces are prepared to defend the alliance. It provides us with the opportunity to bring NATO's Air Forces together to show how- if necessary - we would fly, fight and win," says Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander Allied Air Command.
To gain and maintain air superiority in a potential conflict is the level of ambition for NATO's Allied Air Command and Allied Air Forces in every contested area of operations. Air superiority is challenged by the enemy's prohibitive interference such as air or missile threats against Allied aircraft. The threat on forward air bases from cruise and ballistic missiles can also impose anti-access. With this capability the enemy can deny access for Allied aircraft and create a no-fly zone. Counter-Anti-Access/Area Denial (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.
Allies deploy to Andravida Air Base, Greece to refine tactics, techniques and procedures during Ramstein Flag 24. Photo courtesy of Hellenic Air Force.
The Hellenic Navy participates with their vessels in the exercise underscoring the multi-domain character of the joint combined drills. Photo courtesy Hellenic Air Force.
A mix of surface-based air defence systems is also used during Ramstein Flag 24 to support realistic and challenging training, Archive photo by Manfred Reudenbach..
C-A2/AD in NATO operations is a multi-domain activity, and Ramstein Flag will allow the Alliance to train and further refine tactics, techniques and procedures in this field. Ramstein Flag signifies the future of NATO exercises and the first major exercise to practice C-A2/AD for NATO.
"As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, so too must NATO's exercise design. Exercise Ramstein Flag signifies the future of NATO exercises, focusing on current and future threats", says General James B. Hecker, Commander Allied Air Command.
Twelve Allies are participating in the multinational live-flying exercise Ramstein Flag hosted by the Hellenic Air Force. Over 130 fighter and enabler aircraft along Maritime, Land and Special Operation Forces are executing integral components of Air Power in the first half of October.