"Air Defender sends a clear message that NATO is ready to defend every inch of its Allied territory."
Dubbed as a transatlantic reinforcement of NATO.
Air Defender had been in the planning since early 2018. On June 12th, 2023, it witnessed its first operational flying day. With 250 operational aircraft, many from United States Air National Guard units that had been air-to-air refuelled across the Atlantic in the previous week with their F-15C, F-16C and A-10C. The United States Navy bought EA-18G, F/A-18F, and F/A-18E. European forces, including the Finnish airforce, sent four of their F/A-18Cs. The Hungarian Air Force had JAS-39C Grippens present, whilst Turkey supplied F-16s and the United Kingdom RAF Typhoon FGR.4s.
The fast jet epicentre was set in Northern Germany at the Bundeswehrs Luftwaffe Hohn (ETNH) and Schleswig-Jagel (ETNS) airbases.
This photo report features just the aircraft seen and photographed at these two Northern airbases, further South at Lechfeld and Spangdahlem, where Greek F-16s and F-35s from the Vermont Air National Guard, respectively. Neuburg had a trio of AldA EF-2000s alongside its home-based aircraft, and Laage had a pair of Italian F-2000S working alongside their host's EF-2000s.
The Luftwaffe supplied large numbers of aircraft whilst other air assets flew missions from their European home bases to support Air Defender 23. A total of 25 Nations took part in this vast exercise.
While capturing the photos below, one could not help reflecting on bi-gone years across Europe and the UK during the early nineteen seventies and eighties when many types of USAF aircraft filled the skies.
86-0154/MA F-15C USAF 131st FS/MA ANG.
We are getting underway with some remarkable departures out of Hohn.
With a view of the packed ramp.
85-0110/ZZ F-15C USAF 131st FS/MA ANG still in the colours of 44th FS/ZZ
"Air Defender 23"
86-0163/MA F-15C USAF 131st FS/MA ANG.
Airborne on the first morning of "Air Defender 23."
85-0101/MA F-15C USAF 131st FS/MA ANG.
On Sunday, June 11th, F-15Cs of the 122nd FS/LA ANG, F-15s 131 FS/MA ANG, and F/A-18Cs from HavLLv-31 Finnish Air Force were lined up.
Midday on Monday, the heat haze distortion made for challenging photography as 85-0126 and 86-0168, both F-15C USAF 131st FS/MA ANG taxis for take off.
83-0036/JZ F-15C USAF 122nd/LA ANG.
83-0009 F-15C USAF 122nd FS/LA ANG powers out of Hohn as EA-18G 166943/AJ-500 USN VAQ-142 is seen taxiing for take off.
169398/AJ-404 F/A-18E USN VFA-87.
166781/AJ-305 F/A-18E USN VFA-31.
168930/AJ-213 F/A-18F USN VFA-213.
17-5904 C-130J-30 USAF 181st AS/TX ANG arriving in connection with the broken C-130H from the 154th/AR ANG parked on the northside of Hohn.
168271/AJ-503 EA-18G "Growler" USN VAQ-142. Preparing for action.
168271/AJ-503 EA-18G USN VAQ-142. Growlers away.
168271/AJ-503 EA-18G USN VAQ-142. Heavey and staying low give a nice view of the busy ramp.
166943/AJ-500 EA-18G "Growler" USN VAQ-142. Hi-vis, high entertainment.
166943/AJ-500 EA-18G USN VAQ-142.
HN-407/07 F-18C HävLLv 31 Finnish airforce.
HN-405/05 F-18C HävLLv 31 Finish airforce.
HN433/33 F-18C HävLLv 31 Finnish airforce.
The 131st FS/MAs are returning to Hohn late in the morning.
84-0016 F-15C USAF 131st FS/MA ANG scorching rubber.
86-0168 F-15C USAF 131st FS/MA ANG dropping back into Hohn.
90-1798 C-130H2 USAF 'St Josephs"180th AS/MO ANG.
166943/AJ-500 leads 168271/AJ-503 EA-18Gs VAQ-142 USN for landing.
166943/AJ-500 EA-18G VAQ-142 USN.
168271/AJ-503 EA-18G VAQ-142 USN.
168271/AJ-503 EA-18G VAQ-142 USN.
62-0017 F-15C shucks! It must be great to show off!
62-0017/JZ F-15C USAF 122nd FS/LA ANG. mission over.
ZK344/344 Typhoon FGR.4 RAF 1 Sqn.
HN-433/33 F-18C HävLLa 31 Finnish Airforce with one of the civil-based Learjets below.
90-1798 C-130H2 'St Josephs' USAF 180th AS/MO ANG was only on the ground for minutes before departing for Wunstorf airbase.
80-0258/MI A-10C USAF 107th FS MI ANG.
81-0998/MI A-10C USAF 107th FS MI ANG.
80-0258/MI A-10C USAF 107th FS MI ANG.
78-0641/MI A-10C USAF 107th FS MI ANG.
78-0689 A-10C 107th FS MI ANG.
80-0221 A-10C 107th FS MI ANG.
89-0105/SD F-16CM USAF 175th FS/SD ANG.
89-0452/SD F-16CM USAF 175th FS/SD ANG.
Four 120th FS/CO ANG F-16CMs are on the break for landing at Schleswig-Jagel.
86-0370/CO F-16CM USAF 120th FS/CO ANG.
87-0336/CO F-16CM 120th FS/CO ANG. It is seen landing and wearing its former full colours from the
100th FS/AL ANG.
86-0339/CO F-16CM USAF 120th FS/CO ANG. 'Have glass' colour.
88-0229/CO F-16CM USAF 120th FS/CO ANG. 100 years, special colours.
38/39 JAS-39Cs Mh.59 Sz.D REB HuAF.
38 JAS-39C Mh.59 Sz.D REB HuAF.
39 JAS-39C Mh.59 Sz.D REB HuAF.
44 JAS-39D Mh.59 Sz.D REB HuAF.
89-0026 F-16C 151filo/20flt TuAF.
46+23 Tornado ECR TLG51 GAF.
Lands back at Hohn on day three of this massive exercise.
85-0110/ZZ F-15C USAF 131st FS/MA ANG still in the colours of 44th FS/ZZ
Recovering to Hohn.
Behind three of the four RAF Typhoon FGR.4s. Two were joining this afternoon's sortie. The RAF only participated in week one of the exercise.
The C-130H2 from 154th 154th AATC/AR "ANG/AFRC Test Centre undergoing an engine test is seen behind. It had been awaiting spare parts for several days after going tech.
86-0163/MA F-15C 131st FS/MA ANG.
An almost empty ramp after the mass afternoon launch.
89-9102 C-130H2 154th AATC/AR "ANG/AFRC Test Centre.
Late Wednesday, it finally gets airborne and returns to Wunstorf airbase.
ZK322/322 Typhoon FGR.4 RAF 1 Sqn.
82-0010/JZ F-15C USAF 122nd/LA ANG.
82-0036/JZ F-15C USAF 122nd/LA ANG.
Completes the afternoon departures.
I am still determining if I will see another European exercise with this mixed aircraft type and unit variation. It was absolutely brilliant, and we were so blessed with the weather.
HAPPY DAYS IN INDEED!
