Multi-Domain Training Operation Joined By Six Other Allies

On September 11, two B-52 Stratofortresses based out of Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota flew to Poland for a NATO training exercise. The operation, dubbed F2T2, coordinated over two dozen aircraft from six other NATO allies.

The pair of bombers returned to Minot the following day.

In the exercise, the B-52s worked alongside fighters, tankers, and other military assets from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. This aimed to improve command and control in congested environments, demonstrating NATO’s ability to integrate forces in a multi-domain situation.

“Our ability to work side-by-side with Allies is a key advantage, sending a message of assurance to our friends while also deterring potential aggressive actions by strategic competitors,” stated Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. “Executing these multidomain exercises ensures NATO assets are ready to respond to any potential threat to the Alliance.”

Every nation made a unique contribution to the F2T2 mission. Several of them sent parts of their respective fighter fleets, with Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35s, Danish Air Force F-16s, Spanish Air Force F-18Ms, and Germany Panavia PA-200 Tornados participating. Poland contributed surveillance, and recon tech, while Germany and the U.K. provided refueling. 

The exercise’s timing matched up with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Poland and Ukraine, in which the nations discussed support for Ukraine's defense. Poland has been advocating for increased Western military assistance to Ukraine following recent Russian invasions.

“What we learned from our Ukrainian partners will inform discussions that we’ll be having with other allies and other partners in the days and weeks ahead, as we work through and think through the coming months,” Blinken commented.

FMI: www.nato.int