In July 2020, for the first time in history, Israeli fighter aircraft landed on German soil. Six F-16 ‘Barak’ jets took part in the exercise Blue Wings 2020, together with two KC-707 tankers and two Gulfstream aircraft. Hosting them was fighter wing TLG31 ‘Boelcke’ of the German Luftwaffe, who operate the Eurofighter EF.2000 from Nörvenich air base.
“On behalf of the German air force, it is an honour for me to welcome the Israeli air force entering German airspace for the first time in history. My Israeli friends, General Norkin, Amikan, now our Blue Wings fly side by side.” With those words Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, commander of the German Luftwaffe, welcomed the Israeli delegation in Germany.
In the days before the exercise started multiple transport flights were made with C-130H and C-130J Hercules aircraft. The F-16s themselves were accompanied by two KC-707 tanker aircraft during the journey to Nörvenich. The Israeli delegation consisted of some 200 soldiers while the complete TLG31 with their 1.100 members and their EF.2000s formed the German part. Lots of security measures were taken, not only because of the Israeli presence but also because of Covid19, including testing all participants beforehand.
This exercise was the result of multiple visits to Israel by Gerhartz. It was no coincidence that World War II ended exactly 75 years ago. To commemorate this, the day after arrival a formation flight was made over Dachau concentration camp. This formation was led by an Israeli Gulfstream 550 with both Gerhartz and the commander of the Israeli air force Major General Amikan Norkin on board. They were accompanied by two F-16s and two EF.2000s.
This exercise was the result of multiple visits to Israel by Gerhartz. It was no coincidence that World War II ended exactly 75 years ago. To commemorate this, the day after arrival a formation flight was made over Dachau concentration camp. This formation was led by an Israeli Gulfstream 550 with both Gerhartz and the commander of the Israeli air force Major General Amikan Norkin on board. They were accompanied by two F-16s and two EF.2000s.
When above Dachau, Norkin broadcasted: “Flying together above the valley of darkness, making room for only light ahead. As we vow: never again!” This commemoration flight, with the Israeli and German fighter jets flying side by side, did not only honour the numerous victims of the Nazi regime, but also showed the whole world that an inseparable friendship has emerged from an apparently insurmountable enmity. Norkin: “By remembering the past, we ensure the future.”
The formation also made a pass over Fürstenfeldbruck airfield. Here in 1972 the hostage-taking of the Olympic Games ended with the death of 11 Israeli athletes, a German police officer and most of the terrorists. After the overflights the Gulfstream landed at nearby Lechfeld and both air force commanders visited the monument at Dachau concentration camp. Here a remembrance ceremony was held, with amongst others the German minister of Defence and the Israeli ambassador.
Next day the tactical part of the exercise began. For Blue Wings in total some 170 flights were made. During the second week both forces also participated in the NATO exercise MAGDAY, which takes place several times a year. A spokesperson of the German air force explains: “The MAGDAYs are a central element in strengthening the cooperation, interoperability and capability development of allied air forces. As a NATO partner nation, the IAF took part in this MAGDAY as part of the Mediterranean Dialogue.”
During this second week two KC-707 ‘Re’em’ tanker aircraft of the Israeli air force were based at Nörvenich as well. Although already some 45 years old, these aircraft of Nevatim air base based 120 ‘Giants’ squadron are still going strong. Also based at Nevatim is 122 squadron with their special missions Gulfstream 550 aircraft. Two of those were present in Germany.
One of the G550s was a so-called ‘Nachshon-Eitam’ equipped with a Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) system – easily recognisable by the conformal phased-array radars on both sides of the fuselage – while the other one was a ‘Nachshon-Shavit’ specifically outfitted for signals intelligence (SIGINT). These aircraft performed a dual role as they were not only used for electronic warfare but also for VIP transport. The three F-16Cs were from 101 ‘First Fighter’ squadron while the three dual F-16Ds were from 105 ‘Scorpion’ squadron, both based at Hatzor.
Special Temporary Reserved Airspace (TRA) were used, mainly above the North Sea and over Rheinlandpfalz/Saarland. “The exercise is being held to continue enhancing the IAF’s capabilities, maintain its readiness to face various scenarios, and to continue strengthening its bonds and cooperation with allied air forces,” the IAF explained in a press release.
Dogfights, ground-to-air combat, defeating surface-to-air missile threats, and “other combat scenarios in enemy territory” were practised. After the end of the exercise, a spokesperson of the Luftwaffe added to this: “The main focus of the Blue Wings exercise was on the exchange of flying experience with the Israeli participants on ‘Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs)’ when carrying out multinational air operations. These experiences help in the further development of the national TTPs. The long-term and intensive cooperation with the Israeli air force could be continued very successfully.”
Lieutenant Colonel Mbassa, Deputy Commodore of TLG31, as the responsible association leader for the Blue Wings exercise, concluded: “The result has been an excellent exercise and a very intensive exchange, which has particularly helped our young comrades. This gives us a positive outlook on our future cooperation with our Israeli partners.”
We like to thank the Luftwaffe for their support in writing this article.
This article was also published in Vayu magazine and Revista ALAS.
