NATO Global Strike Force Exercises Continue In Norway

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
August 29, 2013

Exercise Brilliant Arrow update
Story by Eline B. Johansen, Norwegian Air Force

The Norwegian 339 squadron is partaking in Exercise Brilliant Arrow 2013 (BAW13) with three Bell 412 helicopters. During most of their missions these helicopters cooperate with ground forces.

On Tuesday, 27 August 2013, around noon two helicopters conducted a simulated airdrop to resupply special ground forces. In the BAW13 scenario, the helicopters had to fly over enemy territory to accomplish their mission.

For many of its missions during BAW13, the three helicopters of 339 squadron are cooperating with other air assets of participating nations. During the upcoming standby period of the NATO Response Force in 2014, they have to be prepared for any kind of situation.

“A helicopter in itself isn’t of much use in air-to-air-combat,” says one of the operators, “today has gone very well, and this is excellent practice for us.”

In the BAW13 scenario, the helicopters have hostile fighters against them at all times. Therefore they depend on protection by their own fighters, and have to communicate and cooperate with them.

Other scenarios include Combat Search and Rescue (CSaR) missions where helicopters have to locate and rescue a pilot in a hostile area over land and over sea. This skill will also be trained during BAW13 in the central region of Norway until 5 September 2013.