RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- U.S. Air Force Airmen and F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England, arrived in Pirkkala, Finland, for NATO Allied Air Command’s (AIRCOM’s) Ramstein Flag 2026 (RAFL26) executing from June 8-19, 2026. The large-scale, multi-domain exercise is in its third year and will see Allied air forces conduct combined air operations in northern and southern Europe.
This year is the first time NATO AIRCOM took the lead, with CAOC BODO as a lead CAOC, to plan and execute the exercise which will have more than 200 aircraft from 18 nations generating over 150 sorties per day across more than 20 locations throughout Europe. These high-level operations will provide challenging combat scenarios that include realistic problem sets in a complex operational environment.
To further assist in the exercise, U.S. Airmen and a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, will provide aerial refueling and fly out of Ørland, Norway. Aerial refueling is critical to sustaining high-tempo operations and serves as a vital force multiplier by extending the reach, endurance, and rapid-response capabilities of combat aircraft.
The U.S. Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing will provide Airmen and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to provide tactical airlift support to the exercise and bolster the unit’s wartime readiness.
RAFL26 will bring together the most advanced military air forces demonstrating the Alliance’s strength, unity and highlighting the commitment to defend our people and our shared values. Fully committed to these values and the broader mission, the multinational collaboration highlights the Alliance's capabilities to ensure stability across the Euro-Atlantic area.
The U.S. collaborates closely with European Allies and partners to enhance early warning systems, share intelligence, and coordinate responses to emerging threats, building a layered and resilient defense that extends our security perimeter far from American shores.
By prioritizing the defense of the homeland, projecting decisive combat power when and where needed, and positioning the Alliance to deter and defend, we safeguard U.S. interests in Europe and around the world.
For media queries and/or more information, please contact USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or after-hours usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.
For photos and videos please visit the Ramstein Flag 26 DVIDS Feature Page at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/RAFL26.