During the period between 30 September and 11 October 2024, it took place at the Araxos and Andravida air bases, home of the 116th and 117th Regiments respectively. combat wing of the Hellenic Air Force the exercise event called “Ramstein Flag 2024” (RAFL24). RAFL24 was organized by theAllied air command of NATO, based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This was the main training event that saw member countries provided with sophisticated “live-fly” training at a tactical multi-domain level, over 1100 sorties in realistic scenarios, in a complex and contested operational environment.
The Air Force has made available for the activities livex a significant use of military personnel and means, including: 5 multi-role aircrafta Generation F-35 “Lightning II”, capable of using a technology capable of receiving and fusing in real time information and communications from different sources, contributing to creating a reliable, complete and usable awareness of the operational scenario, also for other assets present in the area of operations and command centers; an MQ-9A “Predator” remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), capable of detecting the presence of threats and monitoring the areas of operations by distributing useful information to understand in detail the environment of interest; an E.550 CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) aircraft with air surveillance, command, control and communications functions, instrumental to air supremacy and support for ground forces; a KC-767A air-to-air refueling aircraft and C-130J four-engine turboprop transport aircraft, which operated from their respective home bases. A staff of approximately 90 men and women, including pilots, technical and logistical personnel, supported the operational activity of the 4 Eurofighter “Typhoon” fighters capable of offering wide-ranging operational capabilities and unparalleled effectiveness in the Air Defense sector, redeployed for the occasion in Greece, coming from all the “fighter” Wings of the Italian Air Force.
The exercise scenario allowed the military and the assets of the 12 participating countries to increase and refine important training capabilities, such as the conduct of air operations in environments with significant air and ground threats and to exercise realistic tactics/techniques and procedures (TTP) to counter area access/interdiction activities (C-A2/AD) and integrated air and missile defense – Integrated Air and Missile Defense (NATO IAMD). “Ramstein Flag 24” integrated the activities of hundreds of fighter aircraft, support aircraft, land, sea, space and cyber assets under the command and control of NATO, with the main objective of strengthening cooperation, interoperability and integration by demonstrating NATO's resolve, commitment and ability to deter potential adversaries and defend the Alliance through multi-domain operations. At the end of the exercise, the commander of the deployment, Major Alfredo P., highlighted the training effectiveness in operating in realistic and changing scenarios, in order to consolidate the capabilities of using the weapon systems in service and through planning and combined combat with a large number of aircraft, the ability to operate jointly in a joint and multinational context.
The commander of the air squadron – 1a air region, general of the air force Alberto Biavati, at the end of the exercise met the military personnel deployed in Greece and expressed his appreciation for the excellent training results achieved, for the absolute dedication and constant commitment also highlighted on this occasion, in a multinational showcase that sees the Armed Forces increasingly as a protagonist in the Atlantic Alliance. Gen. Biavati also wanted to remember how exercises of this type are very important to enhance and improve the training level of flight crews and all personnel. Finally, he underlined how the most precious resource always remains the professionalism of the personnel, a key element of any organization, military or otherwise, to operate with competence in any complex and dynamic operational context.
This was an important commitment that involved the general staff of the air squadron command – 1a air region in defining the training and exercise directions aimed at achieving the standards required for the preparation of the departments involved, as well as not consolidating relations with the Hellenic Air Force and the participating countries. The Combat Forces Command, which provided a force offering, with the participation of the F-35 squadron (which operated from their respective departments), the F2000 assets (which were redeployed in Greece), as well as the MQ-9 aircraft (which operated from homebase). aerospace operations command who took care of the operational and training organization of the event. The contribution of the command of the mobility and support forces, which contributed a varied air component that covered multiple roles including the air force multiplier capability covered by the KC-767A aircraft in the role of Tanker, the E-550A CAEW aircraft and the C-130J aircraft in the tactical transport role. The exercise also involved the automated information systems department and the 4a Telecommunications and DA/AV systems brigade, departments of the 3rda division of the AM logistics command, which provided the necessary CIS support to the operation, through the creation of a connection reach back with Italy and ensuring Aeronet, telephone and SILEF services for operations.