Ramstein Flag 2025
In 2025 the annually held Frisian Flag exercise converted into Ramstein Flag (RAFL). RAFL was first held in 2024 at Andravida airbase – Greece. For the second edition it was decided to combine RAFL with the already outstanding and successful Frisian Flag exercise environment.
The Combat zone existed of the very large North Sea training area. Navy ships participated in this exercise as well as several army units. Next to exercising combat procedures these also involved test and development of certain (new) technologies and interaction between these.
Air support was delivered by a great number of external aircraft, flying directly from their homebases from great distances, or from foreign deployed bases (Like Italian EW&C aircraft on deployment in Denmark flying over Holland).
Participants flying from Leeuwarden airbase consisted of Finish FA18C Hornets, German Eurofighters, Swedish JAS39C Gripens, French Rafales, Greek F16’s and Dutch and USAF F35’s. Missions were flown during the afternoon and evening.
The sky around the exercise area was busy with air support assets.
Before each afternoon and evening mission AAR tankers arrived from several European bases;
as can be seen even from Southern France and Italy.
Rafale B with in the background four Greek F16's. All four Rafale B's belonged to EC1/30 "Côte d'Argent" based at Mont-de-Marsan; both Escardille markings adorned the Rafales - BR127 "Le Tigre" and BR128 "Le Scarabée Blanc".
German Eurofighter on hold (above) before turning on the runway and make a dual start (below). As can be seen all kind of people visited this event - old, young, people passing by and villagers; not just aircraft enthusiasts! All Eurofighters were operated by TLG71 "Richthofen" from Wittmundhafen, among the aircraft a more rare dual seat EF2000T came along.
As always a Draken Falcon 20, G-FRAT, acompanied Red Force, providing simulated enemy ECM and jamming features to the exercise.
The Royal Hellenic air Force (EVA in Greek) participated RAFL with five Block 72V F16’s – one of the most upgraded versions of this type. All were operated by 343Mira – part of the 115PM wing based at Chani.
'Falcons' (Greek F16's) passing and breaking over a typical Dutch building rooftop.
As a brand new NATO member Sweden sent six JAS39 Gripens of the Ronneby F17 squadron. Three were marked with a small (tiger) paw on their tail while one was marked with a small coat of arms lion.
As many years before – having witnessed these Finnish FA18C Hornets particpating a Frisian Flag exercise fot the first time in 2001 (already 24 years ago!) – the Finnish Air Force joined up with their ‘legacy’ FA18C Hornets. Always a nice addition to these exercises!
