15 F15E jets arrive in Greek airbase for multinational drills

Fifteen F-15E aircraft belonging to the U.S. Air Forces have arrived at an airbase in Greece in support of an international training event after the signing of the updated new protocol of the Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) between Athens and Washington.

The aircraft will support Operation Castle Forge, which will be carried out within the framework of the military cooperation in the Black Sea region.

The Castle Forge exercise aims at increasing interoperability with NATO allies in relation to the U.S. collective defence strategy in the Black Sea region and improving the ability of joint forces to respond flexibly in times of crisis, the Greek Air Force said in a statement.

“The components of Castle Forge ensure that forces are rapidly dispersed and continue to provide airpower from locations with different levels of capacity and support, ensuring that the air force is always at risk of potential threats,” the statement said.

In the statement, it was noted that the Castle Forge exercise was designed for the US collective defence strategy in the Black Sea region, designed to increase interoperability with NATO allies and to improve the ability of joint forces to respond flexibly in times of crisis.

Romania, Bulgaria and Canada will also participate in the exercise as well as the United States, according to the statement.