On 8 and 9 September 2020, exercise “SNAP 2020” (Significance of National Air Power 2020) took place at Nörvenich Airbase, Germany. Goal of the exercise is to practice the evacuation of German citizens or soldiers from crisis and war zones in a combined air operation.

A two-day event
The exercise is regularly carried out by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) and is a two-day event. The first day of the exercise sees the rehearsal day for the actual exercise on the second day. The second day, authorities and experts are present, to analyze the various scenarios and to improve existing procedures or implement new ones depending on developments in the field. To make the effects even more realistic, pyrotechnic effects are used on the second day. The actual exercise takes place in the morning and lasts about one hour.

Scenarios
Different scenarios are being practiced. For example interception maneuvers at low altitude, simulated attacks on the airbase, air surveillance from medium altitude and the simulation of personal evacuations.

Participating aircraft
From Nörvenich Airbase eight EF-2000s from homebased TLG-31, one A-400M and one C-160D flew their missions. Also the locally based UH-1D helicopter from THR30 acted as a search and rescue cover.
Other aircraft that participated, but not flew from Nörvenich, were Top Aces A-4N Skyhawks and Learjet 35s from Hohn AB. Later two Tornado IDS’s from Büchel AB simulated attacks on the airbase. And finally two other choppers were part of this year’s SNAP exercise. A H-145 and a CH-53G. They simulated the CSAR mission, airlifting downed pilots in enemy territory and the medevac of civilians.