NATO Begins Annual «Steadfast Noon» Nuclear Exercise
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization's annual nuclear exercise «Steadfast Noon» runs until the end of next week, with the armed forces of 17 countries taking part. The scenario is classified, but the scale is said to be similar to last year's.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the military alliance of the United States, Canada and European countries, has started its annual nuclear exercise «Steadfast Noon». It will continue until the end of next week, with the armed forces of 17 countries participating. The drills test how the alliance handles tasks linked to nuclear weapons and are held regularly in October.
Germany's participation
Germany has sent three «Tornado» fighter jets, which flew to Aviano air base in northern Italy. According to the German Air Force, several dozen German soldiers are taking part in total.
These aircraft are normally based at Büchel air base in the western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Unconfirmed reports say US nuclear weapons are stored there, and in an emergency German fighter-bombers could carry them under NATO's nuclear sharing arrangement. US nuclear weapons are also believed to be kept at bases in Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Classified scenario
The scenario is secret. NATO headquarters has said only that the scale is comparable to last year's exercise. At that time the alliance cited roughly 2,000 military personnel and more than 70 aircraft, including modern «F-35» fighters, as well as reconnaissance and refuelling planes.
Military experts say the exercise tests how to safely move weapons from underground storage to aircraft and attach them to fighters. This process, and the attack drills that follow, use only practice bombs without nuclear warheads.
