Allied Forces Demonstrate Air Power During Ramstein Flag 2025

On April 4, 2025, a Turkish Air Force KC-135R tanker aircraft successfully conducted its inaugural refueling of F-35 jets during the Ramstein Flag 25 (RAFL25) exercise. The Turkish tanker, temporarily stationed at Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom for RAFL25, rendezvoused with four Danish F-35 aircraft departing from Skrydstrup Air Base, Denmark. This operation marked the first successful refueling, ensuring that the Allied jets remained operational throughout the complex air exercise.

Ramstein Flag 25 has offered an excellent opportunity for us to engage in training with a diverse range of fighter aircraft, showcasing our advanced readiness and the interoperability among Allied Air Forces. This exercise, hosted by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), includes participation from over 90 aircraft operating across 12 Allied air bases, supported by more than 15 nations.

Allied forces are actively conducting Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial (C-A2/AD) and Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) missions, ensuring efficient information exchange among participating Allies. This exercise is coordinated alongside the Dutch-led Frisian Flag, offering Allied forces advanced training opportunities within a complex and contested operational environment.

"We are proud to conduct the first F-35 air refueling mission of the Turkish Air Force successfully. Air-to-air refueling aircraft are critical enablers in the modern battlespace, extending the reach and effectiveness of our assets," said Major Eşref SAYIL, Mission Commander of the Turkish detachment. "Ramstein Flag 25 has provided a golden opportunity for us to train with a variety of different fighter aircraft, demonstrating our high level of readiness and the interoperability between Allied Air Forces while increasing the cohesion of the Alliance. We are so happy to contribute to the protection of NATO Airspace".

Allied forces are adaptable to any challenges, and interoperability remains central to collective readiness. RAFL25 highlights NATO’s strength through the seamless integration of aircraft, aircrews, and support systems. “Our flight of four Danish Panthers met up with a Turkish KC-135 at 18000 feet above the North Sea. We got a quick top off and left southbound to join the exercise”, said an F-35 pilot from Denmark’s 727 Squadron, adding “this underscores the mutual trust and strong relationships among NATO Allies, while simultaneously enhancing our operational capabilities,” he added.

This mission served as a technological trust exercise for NATO, showcasing both the advanced technology and the cooperative framework that underpin their collaborative efforts. The Turkish Air Force's coordination with the sophisticated F-35s resembles a well-rehearsed performance, demonstrating the Alliance's commitment to modernity and unity.

RAFL25 acts as a platform for assessing real-world readiness, enabling Allies to validate their capabilities under dynamic conditions. The operation of fighter aircraft from various airbases in the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom highlights NATO's focus on distributed air operations.

Through the training to integrate aircraft and systems from across the Alliance, RAFL25 enhances the credibility and responsiveness of NATO Air Power. RAFL25 not only bolsters tactical air cooperation but also fortifies strategic trust, ensuring that NATO forces remain prepared to deter, defend, and succeed collectively.

"This year’s exercise is tailored to provide Allied forces with advanced training in a complex, contested, operational environment. Priorities for Exercise Ramstein Flag 25 include exercising Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial (C-A2AD), Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), Agile Combat Employment (ACE), and seamless information sharing across Allied Nations." Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office declared.