With over 1800 sorties carried out and the participation of more than 90 aircraft from 15 nations, the Ramstein Flag 2025 (RAFL25), the live tactical exercise conducted by theAllied Air Command (AIRCOM) of NATO, which saw the Air Force engaged on the front line with excellent assets and highly specialized personnel.
The Italian deployment involved three F-35As from the 6th Wing of Ghedi and an E-550A CAEW from the 14th Wing deployed on the Danish base of Skrydstrup, and a KC-767A, also from the 14th Wing, operating from Main Operating Base (MOB). The crews and aircraft operated in synergy with allied air forces, participating in high-intensity composite missions in non-permissive scenarios, characterised by the presence of integrated air defences (IADS), electronic threats and cyber activities.
“Ramstein Flag 2025 represented an important training opportunity to consolidate our operational capabilities in a multinational context and to further strengthen integration with allied air forces”, declared Air Force General Alberto Biavati, commander of the Air Force Command – 1st Air Region. “I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the personnel employed for the high level of professionalism, commitment and dedication demonstrated in contributing to the success of the exercise. – continued the general –, confirming once again the value of the Air Force in international contexts. This is the Italy that flies high, with competence, passion and vision”.
During the exercise, the Italian assets participated in COMAO missions (Composite Air Operations) in IADS environments (Integrated Air Defense System), operating alongside fourth and fifth generation aircraft from several allied air forces. The missions provided field testing of the F2T2EA operational cycle (find, fix, target – track engage assess), highlighting full interoperability and integration with foreign assets.
“Participation in the Ramstein Flag confirms itself as a key opportunity to test the operational capabilities of our F-35As” explained Major Giuseppe P., head of the 6th Wing's deployment. “Operating in highly complex scenarios, side by side with allied aircraft, allows us to refine integration mechanisms and field test the effectiveness of our weapon system.”
CAEW also played a fundamental role, providing advanced command and control capabilities to support the management of operational airspace. “Our contribution is essential to ensure scenario awareness, real-time command and control” said Lieutenant Colonel Maximiliano D., commander of the CAEW deployment. “Participation in this exercise allows us to consolidate ABM (Air Battle Management) and C2 (Command and Control) capabilities in joint and multinational environments, while strengthening coordination with allied forces”.
Completing the deployment was the KC-767A, which played a strategic role by ensuring day and night air-to-air refueling missions, ensuring operational continuity for the aircraft on mission and directly contributing to the success of the operations. “Even operating as a MOB, our contribution was fundamental to ensuring the success of the missions in flight”, said Major Mirko M., commander of the 8th flight group of the 14th wing. “Air refueling represents a capacity multiplier for NATO’s air projection and we are proud to have ensured operational continuity for allied assets, both day and night”.
During the two weeks of activity, in addition to the intense flight activity, operations were also conducted cross-serving, demonstrating the growing logistical integration between NATO air forces, as proof of increasingly interoperable logistics.
The exercise took place in complex scenarios, characterised by multi-domain threats, and saw the synergic use of NATO surveillance and control systems such as DARS (Deployable air command and control centre) and the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), both instrumental in ensuring air coordination and large-scale battle management.
Closing out the exercise, General James Hecker, AIRCOM commander, said: “Ramstein Flag 2025 underscores the Alliance's determination to adapt, evolve, and deter potential threats across the Euro-Atlantic region” – and then continued – “[…] we are here today practicing to ensure that if we need to get air superiority, that we have the capability to achieve it”.
The closing of Ramstein Flag 2025 was an important milestone to further consolidate joint capabilities within NATO. For the Air Force, it was a further confirmation of the ability to operate, integrate and contribute successfully to the challenges of collective defense.
