The largest air force exercise in NATO history has begun. At around 8 a.m. on Monday morning, a Bundeswehr transport aircraft of the type A400M took off from the German air base Wunstorf and heralded the “Air Defender 2023” maneuver. According to the German air force, the first fighter jet followed two hours later: an F-18 took off from Hohn Air Base.
Until June 23, 25 countries – mainly NATO member states – will participate in the maneuvers under German leadership. According to the Bundeswehr, some 10,000 military personnel and 250 aircraft are involved, including 70 machines from Germany. 2000 flights are planned during the ten training days.
Long planned maneuvers – no provocation
Planning for the maneuver began as early as 2018 – i.e. after the Russian annexation of Crimea, but well before Russia’s war of aggression against all of Ukraine. The defense of Germany against the attack of a fictional eastern alliance is practiced. The so-called OCCASUS alliance is trying to take possession of the port of Rostock through sabotage actions and the deployment of special forces, supported from the air.
The maneuver is mainly about proving that you are capable of defending yourself, the head of the German air force, Ingo Gerhartz, said on RBB information radio on Monday. A provocation by Russia must be avoided. “We are doing everything we can to make sure it doesn’t escalate,” said the lieutenant general. As an example, he added: “We will not operate flights to Kaliningrad.” Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, located between Lithuania and Poland.
However, US ambassador Amy Gutmann made it clear a few days ago that the exercise should also be a signal of strength to the outside world – including to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I would be very surprised if a world leader did not take note of what this (the maneuver) shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, that is, the strength of this alliance. And so does Mr Putin.”
Germany shows strength
The fact that Germany is leading the way in this exercise is, according to Gerhartz, partly due to its central location in Europe. On the other hand, there are also certain expectations of Germany in NATO. “We show that we take our responsibility. We show that we are taking action.”
Problems for civil aviation?
The Air Force inspector continues to assume that there will be no major disruptions to civil air traffic. The air traffic controllers union GdF had made a different prediction. The military exercise “will of course have a huge impact on the course of civil aviation”, said chairman Matthias Maas.
No restrictions were announced for the first few hours. Germany’s largest airport in Frankfurt am Main announced Monday morning that there were no “noticeable effects”. “The operation is normal,” says a spokeswoman for operating company Fraport. There are no problems at the major airports in North Rhine-Westphalia either. “Normal operation”, reported Cologne/Bonn airport until Monday afternoon. In Düsseldorf, too, everything is going according to plan and without disruptions, a dpa spokesman said.
Three airspaces in Germany are directly affected by the exercise: parts of northern Germany and the North Sea, parts of eastern Germany and the Baltic Sea, and parts of southwestern Germany.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
