RAF Tornados join NATO partners to put
defences to the test
1,100
personnel and 48 aircraft from 7 NATO nations, including the RAF’s 31 Sqn “The
Goldstars,” have descended on Leeuwarden Air Force Base in the Netherlands for
the start of the two-week-long “FRISIAN FLAG” exercise.
The
local Dutch population have been treated to the spectacle of Tornados,
Typhoons, Mirage and F16 aircraft taking off on the exercise, which is
organised by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and runs from 27 March to
7 April 2017.
The
RAF has deployed six Tornado GR4s for the exercise in which they will at times
simulate the “Red Force Element, effectively playing the part of the enemy that
will attempt to breach the defences of opposing forces from the USA, France,
Germany, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands, they will also be playing
“Blue” friendly forces.
EX
FRISIAN FLAG aims to provide aircrew with experience of the planning, execution
and debriefing of large scale composite air operations (COMAO) in realistic
scenarios by allowing partner NATO nations to work alongside one another, test
each other’s capabilities and develop a close working relationship. Missions
being flown include various air defence scenarios including protection / escort
of high value aircraft and the attack of ground targets on land and sea in a
high threat environment, which include opposing fighter aircraft and ground
based Patriot and SA-6 missile batteries.
Wing
Commander Matt Bressani, OC 31 Squadron & the Detachment Commander of the
RAF contingent at FRISIAN FLAG, said: “Working with NATO countries helps us to
better understand our own strengths and weaknesses by testing each other’s
defences. With the Tornado GR4 going out of service in a few years’ time, this
is an ideal opportunity to train our crews for their future beyond this air
frame. The time working alongside our allies means that we will expose both air
and ground crews to working closely with Typhoon deployments from our partner
nations, allowing our boys and girls to get up close to an aircraft they could
be working on themselves in the near future. The aircrew will get to see
German, Dutch and Portuguese Typhoons in action and see how they work alongside
the American and French aircraft too.”
The
Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Lieutenant General Luyt said: “In
the current security situation, air superiority can no longer be taken for
granted. Our colleagues from the army and navy count on us to achieve air
superiority wherever required. Large-scale deployment as part of a NATO air
campaign can no longer be ruled out. What’s more, we could be called on as
early as tomorrow. As the Royal Netherlands Air Force, we must once again be
prepared to meet the challenge.”
Editor – Ken Pike
© MOD Crown Copyright 2017
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