by U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
3/28/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- British,
French, and U.S. Airmen wrapped up the inaugural Exercise Tonnerre
Lightning 14-1 here and other operating locations Friday.
The tri-lateral exercise, which replicates a coalition response to a
contingency operation, developed as a method for the U.S., the United
Kingdom and France's air forces to strengthen their combined
interoperability.
"We are always looking for ways to exercise and improve our methods as
allies," said Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Bence, Joint Forces Allied Air
Component commander for the exercise. "We are extremely fortunate that
our forward-based presence allows us to constantly train with our French
and British allies."
The first of these multiple tri-lateral exercises, which has been in the
planning phase for over six months, focused on communications
integration and interoperability to support air operations.
Partner nations synchronized command and control efforts at the 603rd
Air and Space Operations Center at Ramstein Air Base while deployed
forces conducted training operations off the coast of England.
"This exercise allowed us to test and refine secure communications with
our close partner nations," said Maj. Jan-Peter Linch, U.S. Air Force
action officer for the exercise. "In a short amount of time, our three
nations' teams effectively validated significant capabilities that are
crucial to the success of our tri-lateral operations."
Planners coordinated and directed a large-scale air campaign including
aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing and the 100th Air Refueling Wing
along with allied strike, refueling and airborne control aircraft.
Friendly forces conducted strikes against simulated enemy targets while
simultaneously fighting enemy air forces, all played by allied fighters.
The overall goal for the exercise was to smooth out complications that arise when communicating between air forces, said Linch.
"The training is aimed at reinforcing a common understanding between
partner nations," he said. "This allows for more effective operations at
any given time while strengthening our combined capabilities."
During contingencies, allied air coalitions can be quickly assembled to
meet desired objectives, which can range from delivering humanitarian
assistance to launching air strikes.
The United Kingdom, France and the U.S. have continuously collaborated
over the years to provide airpower assistance on numerous occasions,
including Libya in 2011, and the recent crises in Mali and the Central
African Republic.
"Based on past experiences with our allies, I have seen our
effectiveness at quickly putting teams together and achieving the
objectives," said Squadron Leader Gordon Ferguson, UK action officer for
the exercise. "But this success does not come without complications.
That's the advantage of practicing--we can refine our processes together
through robust training exercises."
Tonnerre Lightning is planned to be held twice a year with the command rotating among the three nations.
While this iteration was led by the U.S., the next Tonnerre Lightning will be led by France later this year.
"The goal for each exercise is to become progressively more complex than
the previous one," said French Lt. Col. Pascal Sotty, director of the
French JFAC in Lyon. "For this
iteration we focused on communications and creating the products needed
for forces to effectively talk, plan and execute the mission. We look
forward to the next opportunity together to test our procedures."
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