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NATO Exercise STEADFAST NOON in progress in north-western Europe 21/10/2022 | Fabio Di Felice

Air forces from across 14 NATO countries are exercising their nuclear deterrence capabilities over north-western Europe. The big exercise, named STEADFAST NOON, is involving up to 60 aircraft of various types, including 4th and 5th Generation fighter jets, as well as surveillance and tanker aircraft. As specified by NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu, STEADFAST NOON is a routine exercise hosted by a different NATO Ally each year, its objective is to help ensure that the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective. It is not a response or a specific show the force: it was already planned before the Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. No live weapons are going to be used. The exercise is the confirmation of NATO’s new Strategic Concept, adopted by Allied leaders at the Madrid Summit in June, that makes clear that “the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression.” It also add that, “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance. NATO’s goal is a safer world for all; we seek to create the security environment for a world without nuclear weapons. As in previous editions, also the B-52H STRATOFORTRESS long-range strategic bombers of 5th Bomb Wing of the US Strategic Air Command are taking part at the training operations flying from Minot Air Base in North Dakota (USA). Training flights will take place over Belgium, which is hosting the exercise, as well as over the North Sea and the United Kingdom, and they will see also the participation of conventionally armed aircraft.

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