RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Airmen and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard, Bangor ANG Base, Bangor, Maine, the 121st ARW, Ohio ANG, Rickenbacker ANG Base, Columbus, Ohio, and the 185th ARW, Iowa ANG, Colonel Bud Day Field, Sioux City, Iowa, arrived at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Scotland, to provide air-refueling during At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield 2021, May 15 - June 3, 2021. The 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England, will participate from home station, flying F-15C Eagles and F-15E Strike Eagles.
U.S. Sixth Fleet will lead ASD/FS21 at the U.K. Ministry of Defense's Hebrides Range located on the Western Isles of Scotland, and at Andøya Test Center, Andenes, Norway. Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO will conduct the exercise on behalf of Sixth Fleet.
The purpose of At-Sea Demo/Exercise Formidable Shield is to improve allied interoperability in a live-fire joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense environment, using NATO command and control reporting structures. Ten nations will participate by sending ships, aircraft, ground assets, and embarked staff in Task Group IAMD, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, and The United States.
ASD/FS21 allows participants to learn from each other and strengthen relationships with allies and partners in the region. The training value and the contributions from the many allies and partners ensure the success of this long-standing alliance.
For more information on U.S. Air Force support please contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Public Affairs at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.