Britain’s Royal Air Force has taken part in a large 2-day aerial exercise with the Royal Netherlands Air Force and United States Air Force involving over 50 aircraft.
Exercise POINT BLANK took place on 3rd and 4th February and included a range of 4th and 5th generation fighters, helicopters, command and control and air-to-air refuelling aircraft.Close cooperation and integrated systems enabled UK Typhoon and F-35B Lightning aircraft to operate alongside Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A Lightning from Leeuwarden and United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
Exercise POINT BLANK is a long-standing exercise designed by the 48th Fighter Wing and Royal Air Force with a mission to prepare aviators for operations against near-peer adversaries. It provides NATO nations with an opportunity to practice and develop shared tactics, techniques and procedures.
The training is invaluable in the continued refinement of interoperability across partners to maintain a unified, capable and confident NATO.The size and complexity of the Exercise provided realistic training for aircrew and ground elements.
Exercise POINT BLANK is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate interoperability. The inclusion of NATO partners from bases across Europe, multiple platform types from within the RAF, the Typhoon frontline, and even candidates preparing for the Typhoon Qualified Weapons Instructor Course, demonstrates our combined ability to overcome distance and practise working together.
The NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems were key to enabling interoperability between the nations in a highly complex environment.Each year the Exercise is refined to introduce new challenges, which are built in to test those taking part. It allows nations to continuously improve their capabilities, and the combined capability of NATO to provide collective security and deliver defence should the need arise.
Story & image: Royal Air Force.
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