Atlantic Trident 21
The trilateral exercise Atlantic Trident results from a strategic partnership called Trilateral Strategic Initiative (TSI), established in 2010 between the US Air Force, the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (French Air and Space Force).
The first two TSI editions were held at Langley AFB (VA) in 2015 and 2017. The current edition, better known as Atlabtic Trident 21, is held at Base Aérienne 118 (BA118) Mont-de-Marsan in the southwest of France from 17 to 28 May 2021.
The exercise areas in France mainly concentrates in the southwest and Massif Central. The aim is to update the participating armed forces on the recent experiences they have had whilst operating over Syria with the presence of Russian electronic warfare systems and fighter aircraft. But also evaluating the results of their joint actions in April 2018 during Operation Hamilton when they carried out a series of military strikes involving aircraft and ship-based missiles against multiple government sites in Syria. Interoperability under all kinds of circumstances is the key element of Atlantic Trident 21.
The air operations can be divided in so-called "Main Wave" Composite Air Operations (COMAO) missions and "Shadow Waves" missions. The main wave missions were flown during morning hours, whilst the shadow wave missions were flown in the afternoon. The COMAO missions saw large formations of aircraft including support assets. The shadow wave missions were less complex within visual range (WVR) and mainly handled Close Air Support (CAS), electronic warfare and interference and mixed fighter elements.
The tactical scenario is that the main force (Blue) conduct combined raids, in opposition to an enemy force (Red), composed of Mirage 2000s, Alpha Jets, PC-21s and/or Rafales. To face the threats of tomorrow, the main force prepares to carry out high intensity fights that requires maximum integration between each of the latest generation fighters.
For the purposes of the exercise, a fictitious scenario has been established. To protect an area or a territory, the Blue Force must respond to repeated attacks by the Red Force by Defensive Counter Air (DCA) missions. The final objective is to obtain air supremacy in order to conduct combined raids deep in hostile territory. Maximum integration between the latest generation fighter aircraft is a must. The participants are offered a range of high value services in the day-to-day operational preparation. The "Live Virtual Constructive Link 16” (LVC16) offers a permanent scenario creation for training, animation, simulation and capitalisation of lessons during training slots.
The participating units are:
*) EC-30 and EC-4 participated with more aircraft than officially reported. The following Rafales were seen at Mont-de-Marsan:
On 12 May 2021, Scramble Magazine reported on the arrival of the Fighting Fuujins at BA118 Mont-de-Marsan.
Photos: USAF and Jean François Auran