RAF F-35 Lightning and RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft have enabled a to conduct live weapon drops on simulated enemy targets on the north coast of Norway.
F-35s from the Royal Norwegian Air Force, US Air Force and RAF used data-sharing capabilities to exchange real-time tactical information and create a unified picture of the airspace being worked in.
Interoperability is vital to the defence of NATO’s northern flank. This exercise has demonstrated important enduring strengths of our alliance: our ability to understand how each other operates, to share critical information quickly, and to work seamlessly with each other.
Group Captain Bishop
Head of Operational Plans, RAF
The collaboration enabled the exercising of F2T2 – which stands for find, fix, track and target – resulted in the successful targeting of a simulated enemy position by the United States Air Force’s B-52 Stratofortress bombers.
The Arctic is a critical region for our collective security and global stability. Training with our Norwegian and UK Allies in this environment demonstrates our shared commitment to defending NATO’s northern flank and adapting to emerging threats. Fifth-generation platforms are pivotal to maintaining air superiority in contested spaces, and exercises like this showcase their unmatched capability.
General Hecker
U.S. Air Force Europe and Africa Commander
NATO air forces routinely exercise together over host nations or neighbouring international waters to integrate their tactics, techniques and procedures, and strengthen the alliance’s ability to operate together if the need arises.
The RAF and Royal Norwegian Air Force also form part of the Joint Expeditionary Force which, along with eight other northern European countries, provides a pool of ready, adaptable forces that can rapidly respond together either at home or around the world.
This training event demonstrates the ability of the Norwegian Armed Forces to integrate with and leverage cutting-edge capabilities provided by the UK and US in multi-domain operations.
In addition, the event provides an opportunity to develop, exercise and integrate our air command and control capability, to include F2T2, with close Allies. Together we are a credible deterrent, and if required, we are ready to defend the Arctic region.
Brigadier General Tron Strand
Commander of the Joint Air Operations Center in Norway
The RAF’s RC-135 Rivet Joint contributed to the intelligence picture as a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that soaks up electronic emissions from communications systems.
A Voyager from RAF Brize Norton provided air-to-air refuelling over the Norwegian Sea, ensuring RAF aircraft did not have to land to refuel, allowing aircraft to stay airborne longer.
