Point-Blank exercise well underway
From 6 until 9 April 2021, the 48th Fighter Wing is hosting the multi-day Point-Blank exercise over the North Sea for a high-end fight scenario.
Some fifty aircraft, of which F-15E Strike Eagles and F-15C/D Eagles from RAF Lakenheath (UK), F-16C/D Fighting Falcons from Spangdahlem Air Base (Germany), KC-135Rs from RAF Mildenhall (UK), together with Typhoons and Voyagers of the Royal Air Force and F-16s and F-35As of the Koninkijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) and NATO E-3 AWACS, will participate in Point Blank 21-02, designed to maintain ready forces capable of deterring any adversary and ensuring the collective defense of the NATO alliance.
The exercise Point-Blank, synonym for a shot, bullet or missile fired from very close to its target, will see the participants take to the skies over the North Sea for a high-end fight. The main focus is operations with fourth and fifth generation, integrated in Defensive and Offensive Counter Air (DCA/OCA) sorties, as well as training against live surface-to-air threat emitters. Point-Blank is a recurring, low-cost exercise initiative designed to increase tactical proficiency of US, and other NATO forces. Multilateral exercises like this increase interoperability and collective readiness, deter potential adversaries and ensure the skies within the European theatre remain sovereign.
Photos: USAF and Lieuwe Hofstra (On Flickr)