US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa completes Ramstein Flag 2024

Published Oct. 16, 2024
By Capt. Michael Hardy
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa

ANDRAVIDA AIR BASE, Greece (AFNS) --

Airmen and aircraft assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa participated in NATO Allied Air Command’s Ramstein Flag 2024 exercise from Sept. 30 to Oct. 11 at Andravida Air Base.

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, taxis prior to take off during exercise Ramstein Flag 24 at Andravida Air Base, Greece, Sept. 30, 2024. RAFL24 serves as a multi-domain, tactical-level live exercise for 12 allied nations to train, demonstrate and advance combined warfare capabilities to include integrated air and missile defense and counter anti-access and area denial. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Emili Koonce)

As the first exercise in AIRCOM’s “Flag Series,” RAFL24 is a multi-domain, tactical-level live exercise for 12 allied nations to train, demonstrate and advance combined warfare capabilities.

During the exercise, land, air, sea, and cyber assets integrated daily to meet training objectives such as finding and eliminating simulated targets, demonstrating integrated air and missile defense capabilities, and honing counter anti-access and area denial capabilities to achieve air superiority.

“Ramstein Flag 2024 marks the beginning of USAFE-AFAFRICA and AIRCOM training the way we fight,” said Gen. James Hecker, USAFE-AFAFRICA and AIRCOM commander. “Over the course of roughly 1100 flight sorties, we have successfully executed NATO’s first live exercise focusing on C-A2AD, accomplished fourth- and fifth-generation integration, and demonstrated our ability to work as an Alliance to deter our adversaries.”

Participating nations included Canada, Hungary, Poland, Romania, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Sweden and the United States.

“This exercise has been a very exciting moment for all participants,” said Hellenic air force Col. Vasileious “Bill” Panagoulias, NATO AIRCOM officer with primary responsibility. “We have been able to provide an environment for the Alliance to integrate and test our collective capabilities.”

Aircraft from USAFE-AFAFRICA that participated in the exercise include F-35A Lightning II fighters from the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom and KC-135R Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing based at RAF Mildenhall, U.K.

Three Hellenic Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft practice air refueling with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, during exercise Ramstein Flag 2024 while flying over the coast of Greece, Oct. 4, 2024. RAFL24 is a complex, large-scale, multi-domain live-fly exercise essential to maintain credible deterrence and defense posture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

As a multi-domain exercise, additional assets and personnel who participated in this exercise included a tactical air control party unit from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and members from the 19th Electronic Warfare Squadron to provide simulated and realistic threat-to-air operations.

Participation in RAFL24 serves as a demonstration of USAFE-AFAFRICA’s dedication to further strengthen cooperation, and fortify NATO’s resolve, commitment, and ability to maintain global peace and security.