Final Baltic Regional Training Event concludes, renamed “Ramstein Alloy”

SIAULIAI AIR BASE, Lithuania – Ten countries, 20 aircraft and over 20 media representatives participated in the 22nd Baltic Region Training Event (BRTE) here 29 and 30 September. The two-day training event served as the final BRTE before it is renamed “Ramstein Alloy” in 2016.

During this BRTE series, approximately 20 aircraft from Allied and Partner nations trained in tactics, techniques and procedures while conducting air-to-air flying training in the Baltic airspace. Aircrews, air and ground controllers, and civilian air traffic controllers honed their skills and enhanced interoperability through various scenarios.

Hungary and Germany, who currently execute NATO’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP) missions from Siauliai, Lithuania, and Ämari, Estonia, were joined by jets from Poland, Norway, Finland and Sweden to execute the BRTE 22 training objectives.

Additionally, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia trained air controllers from the Control and Reporting Center in Karmelava, Lithuania, and the Control and Reporting Post in Ämari, while support aircraft from the Lithuanian, U.S. and Royal Air Forces, to include the NATO E-3 AWACS, enabled command and control, air-to-air refueling and transport in concert with BRTE air operations.

“BRTE 22 is NATO’s visible sign of assurance, solidarity, partnership and assistance to the Baltic Region and Lithuania,” said Lithuanian Air Chief, Col. Audronis Navikas, during a press conference 29 September.

Members of the press also witnessed the training and scenarios first hand. Media boarded a Lithuanian C-27J Spartan transport aircraft taking off from Siauliai Air Base, which then simulated a loss of communications. On the plane they witnessed how the aircraft was first intercepted and identified by German Eurofighters, which escorted it to the airspace border with Lithuania and handed the Spartan over to two JAS-39 Gripens from Hungary.

In addition, media visited with Air Commodore Dean Andrew, NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM)’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Navikas, and the deputy Hungarian BAP detachment commander, Lt. Col. Sando Kallo, as well as interviewed aircrew members and toured aircraft from participating nations.

“The training scenarios not only strengthened the interoperability between our Allies in NATO, but also further enhanced our partnerships with Finland and Sweden,” Air Commodore Andrew said. “NATO AIRCOM remains fully committed to air policing and maintaining a robust and sustainable Baltic Air Policing capability, as showcased over the course of this training event,” he added.

When interviewed about his role with BRTE and the first-ever Hungarian BAP mission in Lithuania, Colonel Kallo discussed the training benefit BRTEs bring to BAP crews.
“This week’s BRTE provided excellent training work for our aircrews, Allies and Partner nations. It helped hone skills to enhance our air policing efforts and build cooperation across the region,” Colonel Kallo said. “I’m very satisfied with the results from BRTE, as well as the support from our Lithuanian friends and hosts here in Siauliai,” he added.

With the conclusion of BRTE 22, AIRCOM, in conjunction with NATO, will rename the training event “Ramstein Alloy.” The concept of Ramstein Alloy remains the same as the BRTEs: continued training of BAP assets with regional Allied and Partner air forces. A third day for each event will be added with Ramstein Alloy as a back-up day to enhance the scenarios and ensure all training objectives are met.

BRTEs and the future Ramstein Alloy achieve the NATO mission by enhancing Allies’ provision of state-of-the-art aircraft and professional, well-trained crews to deploy in support of other Allied nations.

“The professionalism and prowess of all of the BRTE participants showed continued investment in the success of AIRCOM’s standing, peacetime mission: to ensure the same standard of security in all Allied airspace and assure a strong and defensive Alliance,” Air Commodore Andrew said.

The first Ramstein Alloy will take place in Ämari, Estonia in April 2016.

Source: NATO

By

L. J. De Rothschild

Senior Editor

NATO Section

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