Noise and air show: Bundeswehr practices over Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

Noise and air show: Bundeswehr practices over Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

In the coming weeks, the skies over Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the Rostock district will once again be animated by military activities. On the occasion of the “Baltic Hunter” exercise, which begins on October 27th and lasts until November 14th, the population expects a noticeably increased number of flights. This exercise, which represents a culmination of the Air Force's rigorous weapons instructor training, covers a wide range of complex scenarios, from air strikes to air defense to electronic warfare.

The Air Force will integrate almost all flying weapon systems into the exercise and operate in combination with ground-based air defense systems and other forces. The exercises are carried out not only at the Laage Air Base, but also at the surrounding training areas. Anyone who is concerned about aircraft noise can contact the Air Force at any time on the free number 0800 – 8620730, as NDR reports.

Intensive training measures

The “Baltic Hunter” exercise is already being carried out in advance from October 16 to 26, 2023, involving Eurofighters, Tornados and F-35 fighter jets. These intensive missions involved 40 to 45 aircraft and a ground force of 60 to 80 people. The challenges for the pilots were further exacerbated by the disruption of radio communications and the reduction of radar systems by 50 percent, as [n-tv](https://www.n-tv.de/regionales/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Luft Waffenuebung-Baltic-Hunter-nicht-immer-rosig-article24490711.html) reported. In addition, a realistic and instructive error culture was deliberately created in this exercise in order to offer learning opportunities for the soldiers.

The training measures are considered one of the most demanding courses in the Bundeswehr. The F-35, the most modern fighter aircraft in the world, plays a central role, not only in the exercise, but also for Germany's future military posture, which will purchase a total of 35 jets for 8.3 billion euros to replace the aging Tornados.

European cooperation in air defense

The Bundeswehr's exercises are part of a broader strategy that also includes international cooperation. Austrian air forces, for example, train in cooperation with Switzerland and the USA to strengthen defense capabilities. Such and similar exercises are crucial for the interoperability of the systems and the exchange of experiences between the partners, as militaraktuell shows. It shows that the NATO states are continually adapting to the challenges of modern warfare and pooling their strengths.

The coming weeks promise exciting, albeit noisy, times in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which will not only make residents sit up and take notice, but also raise awareness of the military challenges in Europe.