U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa
December 8, 2022

First-ever U.S. KC-46 refuel of Finland F-18s demonstrates interoperability with NATO

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – A U.S. KC-46A Pegasus refueled Finnish F/A-18s for the first time in Finland airspace, Dec. 7, as part of a U.S. Air Forces in Europe partnership exercise called Copper Arrow.

Copper Arrow is a U.S. Air Force total force exercise, specific to U.S. tanker aircraft, which enhances readiness and operational relationships with NATO Allies and Partners, critical to maintaining a postured and ready U.S. force in the region. U.S.-based tankers have been supporting Copper Arrow on a rotational basis since 2016.

“This iteration of Copper Arrow will go a long way in increasing overall USAFE-AFAFRICA readiness,” said Gen. James Hecker, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander. “Our ability to seamlessly train and exercise with our NATO Allies and Partners is…a statement of our strong and cooperative relationships with those valued Allies and Partners.”

…The KC-46 has a narrow list of allowed international military aircraft it can refuel, with Finland on that list demonstrating the strength of U.S. interoperability with an accessioning NATO Ally.

The KC-46A provides lethality and additional options to the U.S. joint force with its ability to extend reach and increase battlespace awareness….

Copper Arrow also simultaneously supported a large-scale, multinational vigilance NATO activity, which integrated high-end air Allied and Partner strike capabilities in an exercise area over the Baltic States.

This vigilance activity, which the KC-46A supported, exercised NATO’s ability to project credible combat air power while integrating with important regional Partners. The NATO activity involved approximately 20 aircraft, including fighters and tankers. NATO Allies who supported this activity included Poland, France, the U.K. and the USA; as well as Partner nations, Finland and Sweden, who flew from home base locations, making use of air-to-air refueling, essential for mission success.

“The purpose of today’s activity is to train air crews in aerial refueling while also demonstrating Finland’s readiness to operate with US and NATO forces,” said Brigadier General Timo Herranen, Chief of Staff, Finnish Air Force….

Photo: U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa