Air wings of U.S. Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa met at Spangdahlen Air Base, Germany, for a Large Force Exercise, the Air Force said on Wednesday.

The gathering on July 1 brought aircraft stationed across Europe together for an exercise "focused on aircrew integration of multiple platforms to enhance readiness and increase proficiency needed to maintain a ready force to ensure the collective defense of the NATO alliance," the Air Force said in a statement.

F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron and F-16s assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, participated.

The exercise also included F-15 Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, Britain, C-130 Hercules of the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, Britain.

LFEs are conducted regularly, but the exercise at Spangdahlen Air Base was only the second in the COVID-19 era. RAF Lakenheath hosted a similar event in June.

"These exercises help build the next generation of air-minded warriors. The goal is to provide realistic combat training that can face advanced adversary forces," said Lt. Col. Patrick Kennedy, 480th Fighter Squadron commander. "Exercises provide operationally realistic and highly dynamic scenarios."

"Planning, coordination, and execution of large amounts of aircraft is challenging," Kennedy added.

"However, we have years of experience in the operations, maintenance, and mission-support group that allow these types of exercises to happen. The best way to get good at employing air power is to employ air power," Kennedy added. "This is why USAFE and NATO participate in exercises regularly together and can go well beyond the basics to tackle difficult problem sets."

Related Links
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

India's Modi makes surprise China border visit after clash
Srinagar, India (AFP) July 3, 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to India's northern frontier region with China on Friday in his first trip to the area since a deadly border clash last month. The incident in the Galwan Valley saw 20 Indian troops killed and was the first time in 45 years that soldiers had died in combat on the Asian giants' long-disputed Himalayan border. Modi toured a military base at Nimoo in Ladakh, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) as the crow flies from the site of the June 15 battle. ... read more