Danish F-35 fighter aircraft are participating in the NATO exercise Ramstein Flag 2026, conducted from 8 to 19 June and based in northern Norway.
The Danish Defence (Forsvaret) reports that the exercise is NATO's largest recurring air exercise, involving more than 200 aircraft of various types as well as drones from 18 nations. Denmark is participating with four fighter aircraft and two in reserve, operating from Ørland Air Station in central Norway.
This is the first time Danish F-35s have participated in an exercise using a mobile concept, meaning the aircraft can operate within an area of operations independently of their home base at Fighter Wing Skrydstrup (southern Denmark). The exercise is conducted partly to the north across the Scandinavian countries, and partly to the south with Spain as the base of operations. The exercise is coordinated from the Combined Air Operations Centre Bodø (CAOC Bodø) in northern Norway.
The purpose of the exercise is described as training for complex air operations, including defence against missiles, integration between fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft, and the execution of coordinated operations with units from many nations. The exercise is also intended to train the ability to relocate units and maintain combat capability even if bases or facilities come under attack, according to the Danish Defence.
In connection with the exercise, Denmark is also serving as host nation for three American C-130 transport aircraft from the Air National Guard in Kentucky, as well as a unit specialising in establishing austere landing strips and conducting air operations under difficult conditions. The aircraft are operating from Karup Air Base (central Denmark) and will train alongside Danish units. The training includes, among other things, the rescue of soldiers in distress behind enemy lines and low-altitude flying over several parts of Denmark, primarily in northern and western Jutland, but also landings at several airfields including Bornholm, Sindal, Esbjerg, and Thisted.