Following the organization of three “MAG Days” this year, this week saw the Air Force’s fourth such exercise with international partners (this time Poland) to establish the Multinational Air Group, or MAG for short.
In addition to more than 20 German combat and support aircraft, this time the Polish Air Force was involved with Sukhoi SU-22 fighter aircraft in the airspace over Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The main focus of these exercise days was on defensive air operations.
The Polish aircraft took off on the exercise days from their home base, the 21st Tactical Air Base in Swidwin, around 80 kilometers north-east of Szczecin. The German Eurofighters and Tornados from a total of five tactical air force squadrons were supported by A400M aircraft from the 62nd Air Transport Wing and A310 MRTTs from the BMVg Air Wing for refueling in the air. As regular exercise days, the “MAG Days” help to further improve the performance of multinational air operations. They make progress measurable and promote interoperability between the participating NATO partners. Each exercise week consists of two preparation days and two flying days. Today, the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, General Eberhard Zorn, visited the Tactical Air Wing 73 “Steinhoff” in Laage to be briefed on the exercise. After being welcomed by the Air Force Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, and following a briefing on the “MAG Days”, the highest-ranking soldier in the Bundeswehr flew part of the exercise in the simulator under expert guidance. “I am impressed by our national contribution to this multinational challenge,” said General Zorn on the sidelines of the visit. “And I have the utmost respect for what the pilots and the entire Luftwaffe team are achieving.”
The Air Force Chief of Staff emphasizes the importance of these multinational exercise days: “Only practice makes perfect. And since we would only ever go into operations together with our international partners, it is essential to practice everything that needs to be in place in an emergency, even during exercises – shoulder to shoulder,” says Lieutenant General Gerhartz. In NATO’s Framework Nations Concept (FNC), Germany has committed itself to assuming responsibility as a framework nation for a Multinational Air Group and thus supporting the establishment of so-called “Larger Formations” in the field of allied air forces. The aim is to provide the Alliance with interoperable, trained and operationally ready forces. Against this background, the establishment of a MAG is coordinated and organized by the Air Force in close cooperation with partner nations. This is done through joint capability development in the context of exercises and training.
