NATO prepares for the largest air exercise in its history
On the media promotion day that was held at the Jagel Military Air Base in northern Germany for the exercise, the media attention towards the F-16 aircraft and the Turkish Air Force personnel was intense.
Commanding the Turkish F-16 fleet in Germany, the Unit Relocation Commander, Air Pilot Staff Colonel, Colonel Ersin Özmen, told the AA correspondent that they will carry out their duties as an effective member and powerful of NATO.
Noting that Air Defender 2023 is the largest exercise in NATO history, with more than 200 aircraft and more than 10,000 people, Özmen said, “5. Jet Main Base Command 151. We participated in the exercise with 3 F16s belonging to the Fleet Command and 56 troops from different units of the Air Force Command. Our goal in Air Defender 2023 is to carry out assigned tasks to increase mutual cooperation between NATO member countries and improve cohesion between forces.” saying.
Özmen stated that they will carry out the tasks assigned to them in the northern and eastern areas and said: “We will show all NATO countries that the Turkish Air Force is ready for war at any time during the exercise that will last until the June 23. ” he said.
EXPLANATION FROM GERMANY
The commander of the German Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, said in a statement at the Tactical Air Base in the city of Jagel, Schleswig-Holstein, that preparations for “Air Defender 2023” have been completed and said: “We are ready to start this exercise.” on Monday with a total of 25 countries “, he said.
Gerhartz emphasized that they are making efforts to minimize the impact of the exercise on civil aviation.
Explaining that the main idea for the exercise was formed during his trip to the US in 2018, when he took office, Gerhatz noted that Russia’s annexation of Crimea at the time gave them an idea for this exercise.
TURKISH F-16 AIRCRAFT AIRLINES ON PROMOTION DAY
On the day of the launch, members of the press observed the takeoff and landing of two Turkish F-16s and two German Tornado jets.
In addition, the A10 Thunderbolt, Saab Gripen, F-16, Eurofighter and Tornado aircraft that will serve in the exercise were presented to the press.
For the exercise, some 110 US Air Force aircraft arrived in Europe from across the Atlantic Ocean.
250 CLASSIFICATIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT PER DAY
In addition, 80 aircraft from NATO countries in Europe and 60 aircraft from international partners are expected to participate in the exercise. It is stated that there will be an average of 250 departures per day during the exercise.
The aim of the exercise, organized by the German Air Force, is to keep the Alliance’s air defense strong, send a message that strong deterrence is maintained in the air and strengthen harmony on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the Eastern European part of the exercise, NATO AWACS airborne early warning and warning aircraft will also conduct mission flights, as well as the mission flights of aircraft from allied countries in this region. AWACS aircraft will fly daily over the Alliance’s eastern flank.
All German Air Force bases throughout Germany will be in use throughout the exercise.
Due to the mid-June exercise, special airspaces were determined in the south, north and east of Germany.
Military flights over Germany, one of the busiest regions in Europe in terms of civilian flights, are expected to affect some of the civilian flights.
It is claimed that the route of many civil flights over European airspace will change due to the exercise. (AA)