NATO completed today its largest aviation gymnasiumsa show of strength in central and eastern Europe that was intended to demonstrate the unity of the members of the Alliancemainly against Russia’s potential threats.

“We wanted to show that these 25 different countries can operate together from day one and we succeeded”said the head of the German Air Force Ingo Gerharts expressing his satisfaction.

In these high schoolscoordinated by Germany and named “Air Defender 23”, approximately 250 military aircraft from 25 NATO member and partner countries participated, including Japan and Sweden, a candidate country to join the alliance.

Greece participated in the Multinational Exercise with 3 A/F F-16 and an echelon of 38 personnel, as well as with 1 Officer as a link (Liaison Officer – LNO) in the staff of conducting the Exercise (JFAC – Joint Force Air Component) in Kalkar, Germany.

Up to 10,000 people participated in the exercisewhich was primarily aimed at enhancing interoperability and defense against unmanned aircraft and cruise missiles in the event of an attack against cities, airports or ports located on NATO territory.

“These high schools were a complete successnot only at the tactical level, but also at the organizational level”Gerhachs said from Jagel Air Base in Schleswig-Holstein.

Of the 2,000 flights planned, 1,800 were carried outhe clarified, a “record” ratio for such high schools.