Romanian based RAF Typhoons have carried out simulated Close Air Support sorties for a large-scale NATO exercise at the Smardan Training Area in Southern Romania.
The week-long multinational NATO exercise, called Exercise Scorpion Legacy, involved 1,800 troops from Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and the United States. The exercise also involved 250 armoured vehicles and Romanian Air Force IAR-330 Puma helicopters, in addition to the RAF Typhoons.
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The exercise culminated with the Typhoons from 3(Fighter) Squadron, a part of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, initiating a live fire demonstration phase of the exercise. The Typhoons provided a simulated Close Air Support attack in aid of the final deliberate attack manoeuvre by the ground forces against a simulated enemy.
"Exercise Scorpion Legacy has allowed us an opportunity to train in a multinational environment and has seen planners, Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and aircrew from 140 EAW involved in support of this exercise.
It’s crucial that we train alongside out NATO partners to build interoperability and ensure that we continue to show our commitment to the Alliance."
Squadron Leader Griffin
140 Expeditionary Air Wing Operations Lead
The exercise provided the opportunity for the RAF to work alongside the NATO Multinational Brigade Southeast Headquarters to carry out this interoperability training, while the Brigade Headquarters was also rehearsing the command of deployed forces in NATO’s south-eastern region. The exercise demonstrated that the NATO Brigade can effectively contribute to the collective defence of the Alliance.
