The latest round of UK German NATO Air Policing integration training, that saw a German Eurofighter detachment join the RAF NATO enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania, has ended successfully.
For nearly three weeks 40 military personnel from the German Luftwaffe’s Tactical Air Wing 71 'Richthofen,' have been embedded with the 180 strong RAF 121 Expeditionary Air Wing. Operating from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base their mission has been to carry out combined NATO Air Policing integration training. The intent is to be able to deploy as a fully integrated force in the future.
Both Air Forces regularly train together but presently carry out independent NATO Air Policing missions. A programme of interoperability and integration training, for flying and aircraft engineering, has been ongoing so that the goal of both Allies deploying together on such missions in the future can be achieved.
"It’s been hugely rewarding and enjoyable to work closely with, and train alongside, our German allies whilst deployed on an operational Air Policing mission in Romania. We have demonstrated a high degree of interoperability, both on the ground and in the air, as we continue to work towards a future deployment that will have UK and German personnel fully integrated. Witnessing the strong team spirit which has developed between us over the past two weeks has been one of the highlights of this deployment.”
Wing Commander Lamping
Commanding Officer 121 Expeditionary Air Wing
Previous combined operational training deployments have taken place, in Lithuania in 2020 and Estonia in 2020. This year for the first time however, the two NATO Allies have conducted armed Quick Reaction Alert training scrambles and intercepts during a NATO Air Policing mission.
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"On the 60th year of NATO Quick Reaction Alert this joint deployment re-enforces the commitment of both the RAF and the Luftwaffe to achieving a joint NATO Air Policing mission. The next step will be the signing of a Common Declaration on UK and German Eurofighter/Typhoon interoperability, which the Air Chiefs look forward to signing when they next meet; this important document will facilitate future combined exercises and operations between our nations.”
Air Marshal Mayhew
RAF Deputy Commander Operations
