Six NATO Allies showcased their air capabilities in the United Kingdom as part of Exercise Cobra Warrior. This Royal Air Force-led training event lasted from 16 September to 5 October 2024.
The exercise, held at RAF Waddington, brought together over 80 aircraft from six NATO nations: the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, the United States, Canada, and Poland. Cobra Warrior, held twice annually, serves as a live-fly field training exercise and is a key component of the RAF’s fighter weapons school graduation.
The exercise focused on high-end warfighting scenarios, simulating operations in contested, degraded, and limited environments, with a focus on tactical and operational coordination.
General James Hecker, Allied Air Command Commander, praised the importance of the event, stating: “Exercises like Cobra Warrior are invaluable to advancing integration between the NATO Allies and partners. I appreciate the work done by our Royal Air Force counterparts to host this event. Cobra Warrior brings together some of the world’s best fighter pilots to train side-by-side and further hone operational tactics.”
Various fighter jets participated in the exercise, including the RAF’s F-35B Lightning II and Finland’s F/A-18 Hornet, allowing Allied Air Forces to enhance interoperability and practice seamless integration across the Alliance.
In addition to fighter aircraft, Cobra Warrior incorporated air-to-air refuelling tankers, surveillance planes, transport aircraft, and helicopters. A notable highlight was the air-to-air refuelling of a Finnish F/A-18 Hornet by a Canadian CC-130H Hercules.
Wing Commander Colin Melvin, commander of the operation support wing at RAF Waddington, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying: “It’s always great to see our NATO Allies and partners here and get the opportunity to train together.”
The exercise provided an invaluable opportunity for NATO Allies to refine their operational tactics and further strengthen the bonds of cooperation between the participating nations, ensuring readiness in complex combat scenarios.
