Biggest Air Exercise in NATO History Wraps Up: Here Are Some of The Best Photos

June 23, 2023 | By Greg Hadley

Air Defender 2023, the largest air exercise in NATO’s history, wrapped up June 23 in Europe.

Over the course of two weeks, around 220 aircraft and 10,000 personnel from 25 countries practiced large-scale air warfare, including Red Air aggressors to help allied “Blue” crews learn to work together against a common foe.

The exercise was led by Germany’s Luftwaffe and concentrated over three regions of Germany, with participants also leveraging operating locations in the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Latvia.

Some 100 U.S. Air Force 100 aircraft joined in, most from the Air National Guard. USAF officials said units from 35 states would fly F-35s, F-16s, F-15s, A-10s, KC-135s, KC-46s, C-130s, and C-17s in Air Defender. Images and releases shared during the exercises showed a B-1 bomber and an MQ-9 drone joining in as well.

Here is a selection of some of the best photos from the event.

A-10s

While the Air Force plans to retire its entire A-10 fleet in the coming years, the popular close air support aircraft featured prominently at Air Defender, with Guard units from Idaho, Maryland, and Michigan all sending ‘Warthogs.’

F-16s & F-15s

ANG units from Colorado, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Alabama, and the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, contributed fighters as well.

F-35s

The Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing, the first Guard wing to get the F-35, sent its fifth-generation fighters.

C-130s

Workhorse C-130 Hercules cargo/transport aircraft played a key role as well.

Other Aircraft

Tanker aircraft formed an “air bridge,” providing the gas needed for fighter aircraft to make it across the Atlantic and to Europe. A B-1 performed a hot pit refuel in Romania, and an MQ-9 landed in the Czech Republic.

Partner Nations

Of course, the U.S. wasn’t the only nation to send aircraft—fighters and transport planes from a host of countries participated.

Ground Forces

Ground troops were involved in the exercise as well, coordinating close air support and jumping out of USAF C-130s.

Maintainers and Ammo

Personnel on the flightline and in maintenance hangars were crucial to keeping aircraft ready to go.

Other Activities

Air

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