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PREVEZA, Greece - The NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW&CF) and the NATO E-3A Component are scheduled to participate in Allied Air Command’s newest exercise, Ramstein Flag 24 (RAFL24), between 30 September and 11 October. 

NATO AWACS aircraft from NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, will be located at Forward Operating Base Aktion, Greece, and will provide Command and Control during the exercise. The crews, made up of 17 NATO nations, will serve as airborne battle managers and play a crucial role in coordinating Allied aircraft.

RAFL is Allied Air Command’s newest exercise series, building on theory and academia to provide a sophisticated multi-domain tactical level live-fly exercise that includes realistic problem sets in a complex operational environment.

“Ramstein Flag 24 offers our crews a unique opportunity to exercise Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial and Integrated Air and Missile Defense tactics, techniques and procedures,” said Maj. Jin, Deployment Commander.

NATO AWACS crews will have the opportunity to conduct command and control and air battle management operations during Ramstein Flag 24. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Sarver.

NATO AWACS will be operating out of Forward Operating Base Aktion, Greece during exercise Ramstein Flag 24. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Sarver.

As a live-fly exercise, RAFL is a multi-domain exercise that integrates Allied air, land, maritime, space, and cyber under NATO command and control with the intention to strengthen cooperation, interoperability, and integration while demonstrating NATO’s resolve and commitment to defend the Alliance.

“We regularly exercise our ability to reinforce any Ally that comes under threat, from any direction,” said Maj. Jin. “For us, Ramstein Flag will be a great demonstration of our ability to implement and execute the ‘Defend and Deter’ mission of the NATO E-3A Component and showcase our commitment to defend one another and every inch of of Allied territory at all times.”

NATO AWACS crews will have the opportunity to conduct command and control and air battle management operations for more than 400 sorties throughout the exercise.