RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The European Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center held a European Test Bed training event at the Warrior Preparation Center, Einsiedlerhof Air Station, Germany, Oct. 25-Nov. 4, 2022.
ETB is a venue where the U.S. military and NATO can experiment and explore new concepts and strategies for defending Europe from air and missile attacks in a simulated environment.
Lt. Gen. John Lamontagne, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa deputy commander, participated as the regional air defense commander during the ETB, acting as the decision authority during a missile defense scenario.
“ETB exemplifies how we in USAFE-AFAFRICA accelerate change or lose,” said Lamontagne. “This is where we test our cutting-edge strategies, adjust to make our plan work, or scrap it all to go in a different direction, all while integrating with and working alongside our allies, partners and sister services.”
ETB participants included officials from the National Security Agency, Missile Defense Agency, NATO Allied Air Command, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, U.S. European Command, U.S. Air Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Europe.
Differing from previous ETB events, the 2022 training culminated with an IAMD senior leader seminar.
Special attendees included Lt. Gen. Lamontagne; Royal Air Marshal John Stringer, Allied Air Command deputy commander; and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Peter Andrysiak, U.S. European Command J3 director.
“Practicing new air and ballistic missile defense concepts and procedures alongside our European allies and partners has never been so vital,” said Lamontagne. “There is no substitute for the hands-on experience gained at the ETB for this critical mission-set. Lessons learned here are not only validated, but rapidly implemented into our defensive strategies for the air and missile defense of Europe.”
ETB is an invaluable training opportunity hosted annually to maintain the unrivaled air and missile defense of Europe.