Royal Air Force Typhoons have been exercising alongside German Air Force Eurofighters, Portuguese and Romanian F16s and Finnish F18s over the skies of the Baltic nations.
The first iteration of Exercise Ramstein Alloy culminated following two days of intensive air-to-air activity between NATO Baltic Air Policing aircraft over the skies of the Baltic Sea, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The exercise tested the air-to-air tactics of participating nations and the ability for several NATO Air Forces to seamlessly interoperate multiple platforms, with differing specialisations, and focus them on a broader strategic goal.
It was incredibly beneficial to exercise with our German, Portuguese, Romanian and Finnish partners. Our pilots are trained to effectively maintain Quick Reaction Alert for the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission but have shown that they can quickly alternate into the mindset required to satisfy an intensive air exercise programme.
Wing Commander Leask,
Officer Commanding IX (B) Squadron
The exercise involved live air-to-air scenarios and tested the Alliance’s ability to intercept unresponsive aircraft and hand over escorting responsibilities between the various NATO Air Policing flight information regions. The exercise also saw the integration of the Spanish NASAMS air defence system that has recently been deployed to Estonia.
Exercise Ramstein Alloy has been a fantastic opportunity for the RAF to further integrate with NATO partners in the air warfare domain. The Expeditionary Air Wing have again showcased their professionalism and agility as they begin to undertake more NATO exercises in greater frequency and, in concurrence with their primary Air Policing role here in Estonia.
Wing Commander Maccoll,
Commanding Officer of the detachment
The Royal Air Force and German Air Force are conducting NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission as a combined force from Amari Air Base in Estonia. The two Air Forces have been performing the mission together for six weeks and will continue to do so until the German Air Force departs at the end of April.
