There is a lot of transports and preparation to carry out, in order for everything to function safely.
Englishmen, Danes and Swedes are sharing the space available at the base, and on Monday, the flying was initiated with a 'familiarization flight', meaning that flight sessions are carried out in the exercise area, focusing on approach and departure procedures to the base. The pilots are faced with quite a few new views, such as mountains and sparsely populated areas that can be breath-taking even for the most seasoned pilot.
So that the aircrafts would be well-received, the ground crew was sent ahead to the Vidsel base.
“On Friday, we relocated our eight Gripen aircraft, as well as one Hercules for the transport of equipment and personnel arriving from the Blekinge Wing F 17 Ronneby”, says the Head of the 172th combat air force division, Andreas Dahlberg.
A total of 65 aircrafts are participating in the exercise, of which 54 will be simultaneously airborne, with participants from the USA, the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland and, of course, Sweden.
Approximately 365 persons will be going through training of some form at the Vidsel base. The UK, Denmark and Sweden are flying out of the base.
“It is the largest exercise area that we have ever used, and since we are also starting out of four bases at the same time, which we have never before practised, conditions are excellent for a successful exercise”, says squadron leader Dampster from RAF Lossiemouth in the UK.