Wing exercise to test NATO compliance

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The 48th Fighter Wing will conduct a local NATO Tactical Evaluation Exercise Oct. 16 through 18 in preparation for the NATO evaluation to be held in November.

The primary goal of the exercise and evaluation is to ensure the 48th Fighter Wing is in compliance with NATO requirements.

"The exercise is similar to a phase two exercise where players practice operations in a [chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear explosive] environment," said Master Sgt. Adam Brown, NCO in charge of wing inspections and readiness, 48th Fighter Wing Inspections Office.

The exercise is unique for two reasons.

"This exercise is different because it incorporates NATO specific requirements," the master sergeant said. "Another unique factor is that we have folks from [Spangdahlem AB, Germany] coming in to assist in evaluating it."

Bringing in the Spangdahlem team will allow local Airmen, who have been working as exercise evaluation team members during previous exercises, the opportunity to play in an exercise before the evaluation.

"In the real thing, there is no EET, just the NATO inspectors," said Capt. Joseph Banks, logistics team chief for the exercise. "Also, they just went through their evaluation in June, and they will be bringing a lot of their experiences and knowledge."

This is the last opportunity the fighter wing has to fine tune its procedures before the big evaluation. More than 120 inspectors from across Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Netherlands, will arrive here to ensure the wing is ready for any NATO tasking.

"One way we are able to foster positive relationships with our NATO allies is by inviting them to our base so they can watch how we operate and this training is critical for us to be able to uphold our obligations to them." Capt. Banks said.