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Three versatile Eurofighter Typhoons have touched down at the U.S. Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, courtesy of the German Air Force – the Luftwaffe. German media has dubbed this deployment “the mega-deployment of the Air Force as part of Pacific Skies 24.”
These fighter jets were returning from Hawaii after participating in the Rim of the Pacific [RIMPAC] exercise. Meanwhile, other Eurofighters are engaged in maneuvers in India, as reported by German sources.
On their journey to the remote Pacific island, the Eurofighters were refueled mid-air by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the U.S. company Metrea. This isn’t their first rodeo, as these private flying gas stations were also utilized during the record-breaking flight to Pearl Harbor.
Pacific Skies 24 brings together multiple air force exercises featuring German, French, and Spanish air forces. The exercise is divided into five parts, taking place in various locations worldwide. The German Tornado jets are preparing for their final international demonstration with a low-level flying exercise in Alaska.
Following this, the Tornados will be joined by eight German and four Spanish Eurofighters, four French Rafale jets, and four German light helicopters. Additionally, a fleet of transport and refueling aircraft, including four German, two Spanish, and three French A400Ms, and seven A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport planes, will participate. Together with U.S. forces, they will partake in the multinational “Arctic Defender” exercise, led by Germany, to train to NATO standards.
Following the deployment to Japan, the German Eurofighter fleet will split up. After refueling and crew changes, five jets will head to Australia alongside French and Spanish crews to participate in the multinational air force exercise “Pitch Black.”
Meanwhile, the remaining three German Eurofighters will stay in Japan to train with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force [JASDF] in the “Nippon Skies” exercise. This marks a historic event as it will be the first time German fighter jets operate in Japanese airspace. After the exercise, these jets will head to Hawaii to join the German Navy and international partners for the “Rimpac” exercise.
The German-French team in Australia will then deploy to India for the Indian Air Force-led exercise, “Tarang Shakti Phase 1.”
Pacific Skies 24 underscores the crucial role of security collaboration with Germany’s partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Through joint training, the allies aim to boost their operational readiness and demonstrate their commitment to upholding a rules-based international order in times of crisis.
The German Eurofighter Typhoon has also been an integral part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. This initiative ensures the airspace protection of the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—by providing rapid reaction alert [QRA] capabilities that intercept and identify unauthorized aircraft.
Beyond air policing, the German Eurofighter Typhoons have actively participated in various NATO exercises, such as ‘Trident Juncture’ and ‘Red Flag.’ These drills are designed to enhance interoperability among NATO allies and prepare for diverse combat scenarios, including both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The Eurofighter Typhoons have been deployed for crucial reconnaissance missions. With state-of-the-art sensors and surveillance equipment, these aircraft gather vital intelligence and monitor key areas, particularly in conflict zones and regions experiencing increased military activity.
In addition, the German Eurofighter Typhoons play a significant role in air defense missions. Their primary task is to protect German airspace and ensure the Luftwaffe [German Air Force] is ready to counter any aerial threats, including potential incursions by hostile aircraft.
Moreover, the German Eurofighter Typhoons have actively participated in international coalition operations, such as those against ISIS in the Middle East. These missions often involve providing air support, executing precision strikes on strategic targets, and maintaining air superiority in the operational theater.
BUGARIAN MILITARY