The German-led multinational exercise Air Defender 23, the largest air force deployment in NATO’s history from June 12-23, kicks off with the goal of exercising air operations with allied and partner air forces. The focus is on optimizing and expanding cooperation among participating nations. The series of aerial maneuvers being coordinated by Germany is intended to show the strength and unity of the Western military alliance, set against the backdrop of the Ukraine war. “With exercise Air Defender 23, we are opening a new chapter in transAtlantic history,” Lt. Gen.Ingo Gerhartz, chief of the German Air Force, had said at a press conference for German and American journalists in the United States in early April. The exercise — which Germany started to plan in 2018 — is based on a collective defense scenario also known as Article 5 scenario in which Allies deploy their air forces to Germany to fight against hybrid occupation forces from a fictitious opponent. In coordinated combined operations, the Allied air forces demonstrate they are capable of defending NATO territory with swift decisive action. The exercise’s large-scale operations involve almost 10,000 personnel and more than 250 aircraft from 25 nations and NATO. The US air forces deploying to Germany are mostly Air National Guard units from 35 US States. The bulk of the participating forces operate out of three German Air Force bases and others fly in from their home bases. Air Defender 22 demonstrates transAtlantic solidarity through the visible contribution of US air forces. Germany’s ability to receive and host large aircraft contingents at its airfields enabling among others the US Agile Combat Employment concept facilitating short-term and out-and-back deployments. Last, but not least Air Defender is a major demonstration of NATO’s Deterrence and Defense in the Euro-Altantic area that is to reassure populations of Allied cohesion and commitment. The “Air Defender 23” exercise is intended to strengthen interoperability and protection against drones and cruise missiles in the event of an attack on cities, airports or ports located on NATO territory. The drill was designed in 2018, partly in response to Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, though it’s not specifically targeting “anyone”, said Gen. Gerhartz. NATO is determined to defend “every centimeter” of its territory, said Gen. Gerhartz. But he added it will not send any flight “in the direction of Kaliningrad”, the Russian enclave bordering NATO members Poland and Lithuania. “We are a defensive alliance and that is how this exercise is planned,” insisted the general. Yet the maneuvers will also aim to send a message to Russia, according to the US Ambassador in Germany Amy Gutmann. “I would be very surprised if a world leader did not take note of what this shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, what the strength of this alliance means, and that includes Putin,” she told reporters. “By synchronizing ourselves, we multiply our strength.” Gen. Gerhartz noted many pilots would be working together for the first time. “It’s about nurturing the old relationships we have, but also building new relationships,” he said. Airlines have warned customers flying from Latvia to Britain the exercise may impact multiple European airspaces. It urged flyers to check their website before traveling to the airport. Asked about potential disruptions to civilian air travel during the exercise, Gen. Gerhartz insisted planners would do “everything in their power” to limit flight delays or cancelations, with school holidays starting in parts of Germany. — Agencies