442d Fighter Wing Exercise AIR DEFENDER 2023

Exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) will be conducted as a multinational high-value exercise during the core exercise period, June 12-25, 2023. Led by the German Air Force, air defense operations with a broad range of capabilities will be exercised with the participation of numerous North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) air forces. Approximately 100 U.S. aircraft from 35 states will be deployed to the European Theater for the exercise. This is the largest air force redeployment exercise since NATO was founded. As a result, the exercise has been given a high priority, particularly by the U.S., in terms of exercise participation, budgeting and coordinated strategic communications. The intensive flight operations of a total of approximately 200 aircraft, the use of ground-based air defense weapon systems and other capabilities will generate a high level of media attention.