On September 30 and October 1, 2024, the third Ramstein Alloy exercise of the year saw NATO and partner nations come together for multinational Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) drills in Latvia, according to a press release from Allied Air Command.
The two-day event focused on enhancing interoperability and readiness among Allied air detachments, showcasing the high level of integration and cooperation required to protect NATO airspace in the Baltic Sea region.
The exercise involved fighter jets from Italy, Germany, Finland, and Spain, as well as Latvian support aircraft, conducting 13 missions, including aerial manoeuvres, air-to-air refuelling, and Close Air Support (CAS) missions with Latvian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs).
The Spanish National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) unit, deployed at Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia, also took part, conducting Integrated Air and Missile Defence drills in coordination with Italian and German Eurofighter aircraft.
An essential component of the training was the support provided by an A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft from the Multinational MRTT Unit based in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The MRTT enabled extended availability for German and Finnish fighter jets by supplying critical air-to-air refuelling, enhancing their operational capabilities throughout the exercise.
Controllers at the Baltic nations’ Control and Reporting Centres played a key role, providing tactical oversight of the manoeuvres and directing the air-to-air refuelling operations. NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, organised the exercise, which highlighted NATO’s commitment to Collective Defence and regional security, particularly in safeguarding the eastern flank.
The Ramstein Alloy exercise series, conducted three times a year, continues to provide dynamic opportunities for NATO’s Baltic Air Policing detachments to train alongside regional air forces, bolstering the alliance’s defensive posture and ensuring the security of NATO airspace.
