Page 59 - North Atlantic and Nordic Defense

North European and North Atlantic Defense: The Challenges Return

“Shaping synergy between the two bases is clearly an important objective. We are working this process in a
step-by-step manner, from understanding how we might operate F-35As from Marham and F-35Bs from
Lakenheath, to deeper sustainment and training opportunities as well.”

http://www.sldinfo.com/raf-lakenheath-prepares-for-the-future-usaf-f-35as-and-f-15s-combine-with-raf-
capabilities-to-provide-a-21st-century-deterrent-force/

But the potential is even greater for synergy from the two bases working together across the region. During
my visit last year I discussed the impact of the synergy of the US and the allies standing up at the same time
th
the new air combat force with then Col. Novotny, the 48 Fighter Wing Commander, and now General
Novotny at the Air Combat Command.

“We are not flying alone; but joined at the hip. We will be flying exactly in the area of interest for which the
plane was designed and can fly together, maintain together, and operate together leveraging the air and
sea base for which the F-35 B will fly from as well. It is a unique and strategic opportunity for the USAF and
for the nations.”

General Novotny added that the two bases joined at the hip can provide a key strategic impact as well.

“As we get this right, we can bring in the Danes, the Norwegians and Dutch who are close in geography and
the Israelis and Italians as well to shape the evolving joint operational culture and approach. Before you know
it, you’ve got eight countries flying this airplane seamlessly integrated because of the work that Lakenheath
and Marham are doing in the 20 nautical miles radius of the two bases.”

The RAF, the RAAF, the USAF and the USMC are already learning how to integrate the F-35 into the air
combat force at Red Flags, and recently have included the French Air Force in a Langley trilateral training
exercise. But integration will be accelerated by the integration of normal operations from common bases
throughout the European region as well.

As Novotny put it: “Doing Red Flags requires bring forces to Nellis and expending monies to come to the
exercise, clearly an important task notably in learning to fly together in high intensity warfare exercises. But
what can be shape from the RAF Marham and Lakenheath bases is frequency of operations with core allies
flying the same aircraft.”

“The same aircraft point can be missed because the UK did not fly F-16s, the Norwegian, the Danes and the
Dutch do. And the USAF does not fly Typhoons and Tornados; the UK does. Now they will ALL fly the same
aircraft.”

“I did two OT assignments and we worked to get into Red Flag when we could to do joint training. Here we
can do that virtually every day. We reach the Dutch training airspace, and can work with the Dutch, with the
Brits, with the Germans, with Typhoons, with F3s, with the NATO AWACS. We take off and we fly 30 minutes
to the east and we make it happen. It is Red Flag as regular menu; rather than scheduling a gourmet meal
from time to time.”

http://www.sldinfo.com/synergy-and-building-out-extended-nato-defense/

And it is not only European allies who can engage in the cross learning.

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