Exercise Brilliant Arrow

 Wittmund 11th - 15th September 2011

Exercise Brilliant Arrow, a 2 Week exercise has been taking place in Northern Germany from the 12th to the 22nd September 2011.

The exercise has been developed to prepare a NATO response Force ready for 2012.

In all 28 Aircraft from bases in Germany, Belgium and the UK have taken part.

The F4 "JG71 Richtofen" sqn based at Wittmund has played host to five Turkish F16 Aircraft from 162 Filo, Bandirma.

Each Day diferent missions scenario has been conducted with 2 waves of sorties per Day Morning and Afternoon.

The Turkish f16s have been flying a 4 ship with callsigns including FATIH and IZMIR flying typically alongside the F4s from Wittmund against the German Typhoon and Tornado aircraft flying from other bases in Northern Germany.

Wittmund witnessed a Airfield attack on the Morning of the 13th September with a number of Tornados attacking the base.

With the runway alot smaller than in Turkey and the strength of the Wind not helping, the Turks have been deploying there parachutes on landing back at Wittmund.

Many thanks to all the support from the Turkish 162 Filo Zipkins.

The JG71 Richtofen were also flying nicely during my visit.