The U.S. Air National Guard is preparing for the largest movement of forces across the Atlantic Ocean in its history. The service will send 100 aircraft to the United States to take part in the Air Defender 2023 military exercises.
The upcoming exercises will take place from June 12 to 22. They are intended to demonstrate the ability of the US Air National Guard to quickly deploy and use forces in Europe in case the war in Ukraine spreads to NATO countries. This was stated by Lieutenant General Michael Loh.
The United States will send approximately 100 aircraft to Germany for a 10-day exercise. These include fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters, modernized fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and older F-15C Eagles, along with the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. They will be supported by Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft.
Air Defender 2023 will be the first exercise in which Finland will participate as a NATO member. It has not yet received the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, so it will send F/A-18 Super Hornet. This was announced by Lieutenant General of the German Air Force Ingo Gerhartz.
The German military officer reminded that Germany ordered F-35 fighters in 2022. Deliveries will begin in 2027, and in 2026, the pilots will go to the United States for training. The deal for the purchase of 35 aircraft was worth $8.85 billion.
