2025 Ramstein Flag; "No gas, no glory"

From March 31 until April 11, 2025 NATO's Allies Air Command (AIRCOM) organized the multi-national large scale exercise Ramstein Flag, co-hosting with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). Different airbases across Europe, such as RAF Fairford and Marham in the UK, Skrydstrup in Danemark and Leeuwarden in the Netherlands hosted multiple nations and fighter aircraft. For the provision of fuel a Turkish KC-135 operated out of RAF Fairford, together with the USAFE KC-135's out of RAF Mildenhall. Operating out of Eindhoven airbase were a Canadian CC-150 Polaris and a A330 MRTT of the Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU).

MMU & MRTT

The MMU has its main base at Eindhoven with five aircraft based and the remaining four in the fleet at Cologne, Germany. the unit is composed of six nations; The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Norway, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.

The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a highly capable, multi-mission aircraft. Based on the Airbus A330-200 platform, the MRTT is modified to support aerial refueling, troop movement and cargo transport. the MRTT has a capacity up to 267 passengers. The aircraft is equiped with two wing mounted drogues (Cobham 905E Under-Wing Pods) and one centerline boom system, making it capable of refueling all fighter aircraft.

Commander of the MMU is Colonel Ludger Bette, he underlined the importance of Ramstein Flag for interoperability between NATO's members in order to be ready for a possible major conflict in the near future. The ability to refuel aircraft in-flight is a critical force multiplier. It enables Allied forces to conduct air operations without disruption and improves interoperability between NATO member states.

Mission

During the exercise, the MMU typically performed two missions on a daily basis. On April 2, the media was invited on board for a refueling mission over the North Sea.

The flying time was little less than four hours, take off was around 4.00 pm and landing around 07.45 pm. During Ramstein Flag the fighter aircraft flew the first mission between 04.30 pm and 07.30 pm and the second mission between 08.30 pm and 11.00 pm.

The A330 MRTT flew a track over the Dutch Wadden islands and the Danish coastline. Receivers during the mission were four RNLAF F-35A's, flying out of Leeuwarden and four RAF Typhoons, flying out of RAF Lossiemouth.

Northern Skies Aviation would like to thank the PR Officer of MMU for the opportunity to join the mission!