US Air Force units are participating in the latest iteration of Exercise COBRA WARRIOR, running from 16 September to 5 October 2024, in the United Kingdom.
Exercise Cobra Warrior is run twice a year and is the largest air exercise run by the Royal Air Force.
The exercise is designed to train participants in high intensity, large force, tactical air warfighting operations.
The exercise features US F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base in Italy, F-35A Lightning IIs from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in England, and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, based at RAF Mildenhall, England.
COBRA WARRIOR, held twice a year, is a live-fly field training exercise hosted by the UK as part of its fighter weapons school graduation.
This iteration focuses on high-end warfighting in contested, degraded, and limited operating environments.
Gen. James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, emphasised the importance of such exercises, stating, “Exercises like COBRA WARRIOR are invaluable to advancing integration between the US, Allies, and partners. COBRA WARRIOR brings together some of the world’s best fighter pilots to train side-by-side and further hone operational tactics.”
Any British aircraft participating in this RAF exercise?!
Yes, Both of them are.