News United States Air Force
 Bombers, Marine F-35s join Point Blank 20-4 exercisePublished Sept. 11, 2020
                        
                        By 1st Lt. Marie Chealthia Ortiz
                        
                        
                        48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
                **RAF LAKENHEATH, United Kingdom (AFNS) --**
                More than 50 aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force participated in exercise Point Blank 20-04 over the North Sea, Sep. 10.

A high-end fight focused on fourth and fifth-generation defensive counter air integration, this exercise saw the return of U.S. Air Force **F-15**s and **KC-135**s, RNLAF F-16s, RAF and RNLAF F-35s, RAF Typhoons, and a RAF Voyager.“Flying alongside fellow NATO nations over and around the United Kingdom in a complex war-fighting scenario involving over 50 aircraft is exactly the sort of training that keeps our Royal Air Force sharp and ready to operate alongside our allies whenever and wherever the call comes,” said James Heappey, U.K. minister for Armed Forces.

The exercise also included first-time participation of U.S. Air Force**Global Strike Command** **B-52 Stratofortress** operating out of **RAF Fairford**, F-16s from the 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons from **Aviano Air Base**, Italy, and U.S. Marine Corps F-35s from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211.

“For the 31st Fighter Wing, this is an excellent opportunity to participate in a large force exercise within USAFE (United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa); allowing our warfighters the opportunity to practice fighting a near-peer adversary,” said Maj. John Hamilton, 555th Fighter Squadron. “It allows us to train alongside some of our NATO partners and boost our interoperability with a variety of airframes.”

Point Blank is a large force exercise designed to sharpen combat readiness and increase tactical proficiency of the U.S., Ministry of Defence and other NATO forces.

“Our Typhoons acted as the aggressors against the fifth-generation F-35s from the RAF, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Netherlands Air Force, simulating the tactics and threats of our adversaries whilst challenging their colleagues in a series of complex air-to-air battles that tested the skills of the pilots involved, and pushed these world-class aircraft to their limits,” said Group Captain Chris Layden, RAF Lossiemouth station commander.

Multilateral exercises like this increase interoperability, deter potential adversaries and ensure the skies within the European theater remain sovereign.

“Exercises like Point Blank allow us to validate digital interoperability with Squadron 617 and is an opportunity to conduct realistic, relevant training with the United States Air Force, and NATO's allies, expanding our global influence by developing capabilities that can share the burden in addressing common defense challenges," said Lt. Col. Joseph F. Freshour, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 commanding officer.

Royal Netherlands Air Force spokesperson, Maj. Marleen Molema, added, “We value the excellent opportunity Point Blank provides us to maintain and improve interoperability with our NATO allies.”

Point Blank is a recurring, low-cost exercise initiative designed to increase tactical proficiency and demonstrate the collective commitment to regional security.

“The 48th Fighter Wing and our U.K. allies continue to lead the way with each iteration of Point Blank. Through our continued partnership, we are demonstrating the ability of allies and partners to seamlessly operate with one another across all domains in challenging and demanding scenarios,” said**Gen. Jeff Harrigian**, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander. “This ultimately makes us experts at what we do, which is deliver air superiority anywhere across the globe.”USAF 



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