The NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force, based in Sigonella, Italy, is taking part in Allied Air Command’s large-scale, multi-domain exercise. Its RQ-4D aircraft are deployed to Pirkkala Air Base at Tampere-Pirkkala Airport for the duration of the activity.
Ramstein Flag 26 brings together Allied fighter aircraft, enablers and NATO assets across Northern and Southern Europe. NATO said the ISR Force adds an important intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability to the exercise.
The RQ-4D Phoenix can conduct radar reconnaissance and surveillance by day and night. NATO said it can operate independently of weather conditions, supporting situational awareness and information sharing across the Alliance.
Ramstein Flag 26 runs from June 8 to 19. The exercise is designed to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and collective defence.
The training focuses on Integrated Air and Missile Defence, Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial, Agile Combat Employment and the exchange of information, intelligence and data among Allies. These areas are intended to improve how Allied forces operate together in complex air operations.
NATO said the RQ-4D Phoenix directly supports the exercise’s core objectives by providing persistent ISR. This helps Allied forces detect, track and understand activity across the exercise area.
By integrating remotely piloted ISR into live-fly and synthetic training, Ramstein Flag 26 helps NATO refine tactics, techniques and procedures for comprehensive air defence. NATO said this improves the Alliance’s ability to respond rapidly, operate from distributed locations and protect NATO territory, populations and airspace.
The participation of the NATO ISR Force shows how the Alliance combines crewed and remotely piloted systems. NATO said this supports readiness, interoperability and air operations across the Alliance.
