The NATO Press Centre makes special mention of the F-16 fighters of the Greek Air Force in the context of Europe's largest air exercise since the end of the Cold War, which is taking place in Germany. It should be recalled that Greece is participating in this exercise with three F-16 fighters from the Nea Anchialos base and specifically 3 F-16 Block 50 aircraft of the 347 Squadron from the 111th Fighter Wing.
On Monday 19 June, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAF), Vice Admiral (I) Themistocles Bourolias, attended the Distinguished Visitor Day (DV Day) of the exercise "Air Defender 2023", at 51 Tactical Air Wing "IMMELMANN" Air Base, O.D. Germany.
Air forces from 25 Allies and NATO partners gathered for Air Defender 23. Friday concludes the Greek participation which left the best impressions on all allies and the exercise.
Air Defender 23 involves some 250 fighter, bomber, attack and support aircraft. Based in Germany, which is leading the exercise (although flights are taking place across Europe), the aim of the exercise is to practice the integration of air operations on a large scale, ensuring that the Allies are able to provide coordinated air power in the event of a crisis.
The announcement specifically states: "At Lechfeld Air Base in southern Germany, U.S. A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft take off alongside F-16 Fighting Falcons of the Greek Air Force. While the Greek aircraft are multi-role fighters, the U.S. National Guard A-10s are attack aircraft, specializing in ground combat missions such as close air support and search and rescue combat.
The footage includes footage of U.S. and Greek Air Force aircraft in flight and on the ground, as well as an interview with an officer from the U.S. National Guard's 190th Fighter Squadron.
U.S. National Guard Captain Jason Atinger, 190th Fighter Squadron says specifically: "Air Defender is the largest air exercise since the end of the Cold War and it's unique for us to be involved in this major exercise, working with our NATO partners, up to 25 nations, I think 10,000 total personnel and over 240 aircraft. So it's a very big exercise and it's an honour for us to be part of it. For us, we're just strengthening those relationships with our NATO partners. Germany is our host, but we're starting to work with 25 other nations in total, and this is the best time to come together and, you know, exercise those skills. It's like a big power exercise, if you think of something like Red Flag from Nellis (US Air Force Base), but on an international scale, so it's an even bigger exercise. We like to say, "train like you're fighting," and that, you know, is probably a bit of an exaggeration, but really, in my 25 years in the Air Force, I don't think I've ever been on a single deployment where it was just unilateral, just in the United States. We've always been, in some capacity, either joint or combined force, you with some other nation or some other service. So to do it out here, at their headquarters and to work with them outside of our comfort zone, our own base, makes us much better."
