The NATO Summit at Riga, Latvia, also heralded the announcement that the NATO Response Force is now at full operational capability. “We are there,” stated Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, noting that it “wasn’t easy.” The rotational NRF comprises elements volunteered by Alliance members to meet specific requirements. It includes a brigade-sized land component, naval task force, amphibious task group, surface action group, and an air component that can fly 200 sorties a day.
A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.
