Bilateral Drills Improve NATO Operations and Tactics

This month the US Air Force,Army and Navy have been upgrading interoperability with German and Greek forces.On 11 March the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group TWO (IKE CSG) held extensive warfighting drills with the Hellenic Armed Forces in the Mediterranean Sea.The two NATO Allies conducted multi-domain training, including the placement of Hellenic Navy frigate HS Psara (F-454) under IKE CSG tactical control (TACON).As well,two Hellenic submarines participated in anti-submarine warfare drills, while Hellenic Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons operated with Carrier Air Wing F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters.The exercise was planned and coordinated by the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNGDS) and the relevant US authorities,in order to strengthen partnership capabilities using NATO operational and tactical procedures, the US Navy said.* According to US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt: I am especially proud to see the IKE Strike Group in the Mediterranean-a strategically dynamic region where the United States is stepping up its engagement... The United States is committed to elevating and demonstrating our vital security relationship with Greece which is codified in our updated Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement.* The US Navy added that: The U.S. considers Greece to be a pillar of stability in the east Mediterranean region and continues to develop closer cooperation with Greece at all levels.No nation can confront today's challenges alone...the U.S. relies more and more on our relationships with Allies for regional leadership, interoperability, and collaboration.* The IKE CSG is a multiplatform team of ships, aircraft and more than 5,000 Sailors...The Navy provides a ready,flexible force capable of responding to a broad range of contingencies. Besides the flagship aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the CSG consists of Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61); Destroyer Squadron 22;four Squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 3 fighters; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74; and other assets.RADM Scott Robertson is Commander Carrier Strike Group TWO.* Also last week, the US and Germany conducted Exercise Agile Fury at Graffenwoehr Training Area, Germany.The air-to- ground drills were hosted by the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron of the US Air Force.The training enabled Tactical Air Control Party members through scenarios featuring ground operations, close air support and reconnaissance.Simulating close air were Luftwaffe Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 480th and 510th Fighter Squadrons out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany and Aviano Air Base,Italy, respectively. Also participating were the US Army's 1st Squadron 91st Cavalry Regiment,173rd Airborne Brigade; and the 10th Panzer Division (Bundeswehr),who integrated with the 2nd ASOS. The 2nd ASOS utilised advanced technology such as personal reconnaissance drone systems and multi-spectral digital invoice communications,as well as a surface-to-air-threat emitter that simulates threats for aircraft to neutralise,86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs said.*