SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Force Airmen and F-16CJ Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, arrived at RAF Mildenhall, England, to participate in the United Kingdom Royal Air Force-led Cobra Warrior exercise from Sept. 4-22, 2023. F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England, will also participate from homestation.
Cobra Warrior is a regularly scheduled biannual exercise, flown in the skies over England, Scotland and the surrounding ocean, that provides valuable opportunities for participating units to practice and develop tactics, techniques, and procedures in complex scenarios against near peer adversaries. Participants will train in air interdiction, dynamic targeting, offensive counter air and defensive counter air, suppression of enemy air defense and personnel recovery.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to once again train with all of our international partners in the region,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Parks, 480th Fighter Squadron commander at Spangdahlem AB. “This exercise and others like it are crucial to maintaining our readiness and continuing to hone our skills in so many areas.”
In addition to the U.K. and U.S., Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands and Norway are also participating in the exercise, which will strengthen the tactical interoperability skills of participating international partners, aircrews and supporting elements within a composite air operation environment.
U.S. Airmen and KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, are participating from home station by providing aerial refueling, and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, are also participating from RAF Leeming, England, by providing combat search and rescue during the event.
The exercise allows participants to demonstrate the ability to conduct multinational offensive and defensive air operations that will Influence and deter potential adversaries. The skills developed and utilized will enable Ally and Partner nations to integrate and lead one another in similar situations.
The U.S. remains steadfast in our shared commitment to peace and stability in Europe, and will continue to work alongside our Allies and Partners in exercises like Cobra Warrior to deter threats to national sovereignty throughout the region.
For more information, please call +49 (0) 6371-47-6558 or e-mail usafepao.pao@us.af.mil. If after duty hours, please call +49 (0) 1624-25-5428 or e-mail usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.