Allies sharpen combat edge at Ramstein Flag 2025

NATO’s largest tactical air exercise of the year, Ramstein Flag 2025, concluded on April 11 at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands, bringing together forces from 15 Allied nations to train across multiple warfighting domains, according to a press release.

The two-week exercise tested Allied capabilities in air superiority, agile combat employment, integrated air and missile defence, and counter anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) operations. Aircraft and personnel trained under realistic combat conditions, with scenarios designed to integrate air, space, cyber, and electronic warfare operations.

“We are here practicing today to ensure that if we need to gain air superiority, we have the capability to do it,” said General James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command, in the release.

A key element of Ramstein Flag 2025 was the demonstration of cross-servicing operations between U.S. and Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Crews from each nation refuelled and serviced the other’s jets during A2/AD training missions, highlighting operational cohesion across national lines.

Royal Netherlands Air Force Lieutenant General André Steur underscored the broader significance of the exercise: “The strength we create here at Ramstein Flag is that piece of the puzzle that enables us to fully interconnect with all the forces and be able to fight.”

The U.S. contribution included F-35A Lightning II fighters from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, KC-135R Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, and electronic warfare assets from the 19th Electronic Warfare Squadron based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

As host nation, the Netherlands fielded a range of assets, including F-35s, MQ-9 Reapers, NH90 helicopters, and the naval frigate HNLMS Tromp, demonstrating multi-domain integration from land to sea.

Ramstein Flag 2025 reinforced NATO’s ability to coordinate joint operations under high-stress, contested environments, with planners aiming to sharpen Allied responses to emerging threats across the European theatre.