Gripen fighters deployed to UK for exercises with US Air Force

Posted on: Oct. 2nd, 2007 || Source: Gripen International | E-mail Article | Print Article

Gripen fighters deployed to UK for exercises with US Air Force

The Gripen squadron, one of two based at the Swedish Air Force F21 Wing in Lulea, Sweden, comprised ten (10) of the latest Gripen C/D versions of the fighter. The Gripen fighters were hosted by the 493rd Fighter Squadron “Grim Reapers”, which operate the F-15C Eagle aircraft.

The purpose of the deployment was to enable the Gripen pilots to operate Gripen´s advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems and hone their skills in a dynamic environment. During the operational missions, which took place over a week, the pilots performed Close Air Support missions and executed air-to-ground attacks against targets defended by simulated surface-to-air missile systems.

During these attacks, the pilots took full advantage of Gripen’s superior EW-systems using both passive and active counter measures, including the dispensing of chaff and flares against hostile threats. In addition to these missions, the Gripen pilots also flew daily dissimilar air combat missions against the American F-15 Eagles.

All missions were carried out in a special training area at the RAF Spadeadam base. The SwAF Gripen deployment to the UK was also the first of such exercises between the Swedish Air Force and the US Air Force in Europe.

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