Over 90 aircraft and 2,000 troops demonstrate allied strength and integration in Europe
On April 11, NATO concluded the Ramstein Flag 2025 (RAFL25) exercise, one of the Alliance’s largest and most complex real-time tactical air operations, reinforcing its commitment to readiness, interoperability, and coordinated action across multiple domains.
Organized by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), the exercise brought together around 2,000 personnel and more than 90 aircraft from over 15 allied nations, operating from 12 European air bases. The 2025 edition continued the legacy of Ramstein Flag 2024 (RAFL24), with an emphasis on Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), Agile Combat Employment (ACE), Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial (C-A2/AD), and information sharing.
Complex operations across all domains
RAFL25 simulated high-intensity missions across air, land, maritime, cyber, and space domains. General James Hecker, Commander of NATO Allied Air Command, emphasized:
“Air superiority is a fundamental premise — for the Air Force and for all domains. We are practicing to ensure that, if needed, we have the ability to achieve it.”
Throughout the exercise, more than 1,800 sorties were flown, testing the ability of allied air forces to respond in a coordinated and effective manner to conflict scenarios.
Operational highlights and logistical interoperability
Key moments from the exercise included:
- Air-to-air refueling of Danish F-35 fighters by a Turkish Air Force KC-135R;
- Cross-maintenance operations between US and Dutch F-35s, with technical crews exchanging roles;
- Maritime integration with support from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1);
- Airborne control and surveillance provided by NATO AWACS systems and the mobile DARS radar;
- Participation of aircraft from the air forces of Denmark, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others.
Air Commodore Andy Turk, Deputy Commander of NATO’s Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, highlighted that RAFL25 was essential for refining procedures in large-scale air operations:
“We integrated over 90 aircraft from 15 nations into one synchronized force, showcasing the excellence of NATO’s airpower.”
Unity and deterrence
According to Lieutenant General André Steur, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force,
“When the situation demands it, many will rely on us as the First Response. Exercises like Ramstein Flag are our greatest deterrence tool.”
With the successful conclusion of RAFL25, NATO reinforces its rapid response capabilities to emerging threats, while strengthening cohesion among its members through realistic training and operational cooperation.
Source and images: Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
