Karo-Aviation visits Magday Blue Wings at Norvenich 2020.
Article and pictures by Rolph Klijn

Starting in 2019 the German Air Force has organized the Multinational Air Group – MAG days exercise. An exercise between several NATO air forces that takes place in northern Europe.

The MAGDAYs take place four times a year and involve air forces from several partner nations and are hosted by Germany.

The events consist of two rehearsal days and two live-fly days. MAGDAY’s goal is to increase interoperability between the participating allies. The aim of the exercise is to provide NATO with military flying assets that are interoperable, well-trained and operational.

Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz – Chief of the German Air Force stated:
“MAGDAYs are an excellent example of multinationalism at work allowing the Luftwaffe to operate shoulder to shoulder with European Allies and Partners in preparation of combined missions.”

The MAGDAYs are very much appreciated by all the participating forces. They underline the need to improve the work of cooperation between the NATO air forces for the defence of the European skies.

This year’s August edition was a very special one. On Monday, August 17th, the first joint exercise between the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and the German Air Force (GAF) took take place in the skies over Germany.
This exercise is the only international exercise that the IAF is conducting abroad in 2020.

The exercise is being held to continue enhancing the IAF's capabilities, maintain its readiness to face various scenarios, and to continue strengthening its bonds and cooperation with allied air forces.

"The IAF will participate in the exercise for the first time as Germany's guests", shares Lt. Col. A, Commander of the 105th "Scorpion" Squadron, and head of the IAF's deployment team. "
This is an opportunity to showcase our abilities and learn about NATO's flight and training technique".

 
The august MAGDAY was preceded byexercise Bleue Wings, making it a two week exercise. Hosted by TLG31 “Boelcke” flying the Eurofighter Typhoon, the IAF did dogfights, ground-to-air combat, handling surface-to-air missile threats, and other combat scenarios in an unfamiliar territory.

"This training is very effective and unique, as we train in an unfamiliar environment and territory", described Lt. Col. A. "We will fly in a different environment than we are used to in Israel, with different flight platforms and flight rules".

"The flights will be carried out using NATO's combat doctrine as opposed to ours, which creates a challenge for the pilot and Weapons Systems Operator in the cockpit".

To emphasize the strengthening of the relation between Germany and Israel, on the second day the "Memory for the Future" flyby took place.
A joint flyby, led by an IAF Gulfstream G550 with F-16 fighter jets and two German Typhoons, flew by the former Dachau concentration camp, in memory of the Holocaust victims and above the "Fürstenfeldbruck" Airport close to Munich, in memory of the 11 Israeli Olympic delegation members that were murdered in the 1972 Olympics terrorist attack.

TheCommander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin led the flyby in the Gulfstream G550 alongside the Commander of the German Air Force, Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz in a Typhoon.

Karo-Aviation was at Nörvenich Air Base near Cologne when, on Monday the 17th, the Israeli delegation arrived with six "Barak" F-16C/D fighter jets, two "Re'em" Boeing KC707 tanker aircraft, two different variants of Gulfstream G-550’s. A "Nachshon-Eitam" and a "Nachshon-Shavit" and a C130H “Karnaf” transport aircraft.

The sharp end of the Israeli delegation was presented by 101 and 105 squadron both flying the F16C/D out of Hatzor Air Base. 101 Squadronis named “the first squadron” as it was the first Israeli air force squadron. 105 Squadron not beng much younger is named “the scorpion squadron”.

The oldest assets of the exercise were easily the two KC707 tanker aircraft. Giving the F16C/D the chance to make it from Hatzor to Nörvenich in one go. Both belonging to 120 squadron from Nevatim. Not surprisingly known as “the international squadron”.
On the different flight radars it was clear to see that the Hercules transport aircraft could take the short route over Austria. The fighters and their tanker support had to go around Italy and the Alps and come in over France.

Of special interest were the two special mission G550’s. The "Nachshon-Eitam" being used for the conformal airborne early warning (CAEW) mission and a "Nachshon-Shavit" being used as an airborne signals intellegence (SIGINT) platform. Both being used by the 122 “Nachshon” squadron normaly operating out of Nevatim Air Base.