In skies, as on land, European forces face gaps if US pulls back

NATO Air Forces Learn From Ukraine War in Year's Largest Combat Exercise

LEEUWARDEN, The Netherlands — Ninety-one aircraft from 15 NATO states have finished taking part in Exercise Ramstein Flag, a two-week rehearsal of potential collective responses to an attack on a fellow member state.

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In skies, as on land, European forces face gaps if US pulls back

Fighter jets from the United States, France, Finland and Germany roar into the skies from a Dutch base as part of NATO's biggest air exercise this year.

In front of the Dutch coast of the North Sea, the German Air Force is simulating this Thursday and this Friday a scenario in which it is forced to repel a Russian attack along with other NATO allies. During the maneuvers called “Bandera Ramstein”, the pilots are trained in the defensive fight against the invaders and in the elimination of enemy anti-aircraft positions, as well as in the support from the air to the objectives of the ground troops…

Could NATO ward off a Russian attack? Just off the Dutch coast, the German Air Force is simulating such a scenario with its partners. The responsible US general comments on speculation about Trump's plans.

How can NATO's sub-forces react if Russia attacks the alliance area? This is rehearsed by the Bundeswehr Air Force together with allies during the "Ramstein Flag" maneuver. According to a US general, however, it is also about a message to Moscow.