Exercise Cobra Warrior 26-2 has concluded after three and a half weeks, generating 942 sorties and more than 2,500 flying hours across fourteen complex missions, according to the Royal Air Force.
Around 1,800 personnel from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States took part. The exercise began on 14 September and was delivered by the Air and Space Warfare Centre, sponsored by No 11 Group.
Combat air, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, air mobility, support helicopters, force protection, cyber and command and control capabilities were brought together to test the rapid integration, resilience and combat effectiveness needed to deter threats, defend the homeland and fight as part of a NATO force.
For prospective tactical leaders it marked the end of the Typhoon Qualified Weapons Instructor Course, putting candidates into a multinational environment and requiring decisions under operational pressure.
Squadron Leader Mike, officer commanding the course with 29 Squadron, said: “Exercise Cobra Warrior 26-2 has once again provided the culmination of the Typhoon Qualified Weapons Instructor Course, allowing candidates to test themselves alongside allied air forces in a demanding multinational environment.
“The exercise challenges prospective Weapons Instructors to demonstrate the judgement, adaptability and leadership required of the next generation of Typhoon tactical leaders.”
The Air Command and Control Force coordinated British and international participants through the planning and execution of the missions. Group Captain Chris Misiak, Commander Air C2 Force, said: “The Air C2 Force has been central to the success of Cobra Warrior, integrating UK and international participants into a single coordinated air operation. Exercises such as this ensure Allied air forces can plan, operate and respond together in an increasingly complex security environment.”
Germany deployed eleven Eurofighter Typhoons and around 200 personnel from Tactical Air Wing 31 Boelcke. Oberstleutnant Mike Schill, the German detachment commander, said: “The exercise gives us the opportunity to hone operational tactics and strengthen readiness alongside our NATO partners. Training together deepens cooperation and improves our ability to operate collectively in defence of the Alliance.”
Maggiore Valerio C, the Italian detachment commander, said: “Cobra Warrior has confirmed itself as a first-class training exercise, offering an opportunity to test the capabilities of Air Forces, the integration between assets, and the level of standardization required to operate effectively with allied nations in modern scenarios.”
Personnel from RAF Global Enablement, the Tactical Medical Wing, the RAF Regiment and allied support units sustained the flying effort, supporting deployed operations and protecting personnel through the exercise.
