Steadfast Noon

In the NATO alliance Steadfast Noon is an annual two week training exercise for member countries in handling nuclear weapons.[1] In 2022 this exercise commenced 17 October and culminated 30 October. The NATO exercise involved 14 nations.[2] In 2022 the Steadfast Noon exercise was hosted by Belgium at Kleine Brogel Air Base; the training flights took place over Belgium, the UK, and the North Sea. The training aircraft were up to 60 in number and largely consisted of F-16s, Panavia Tornadoes, and B-52s. Surveillance and tanker aircraft also flew in support. No nuclear weapons were involved, but the crews were trained using mock devices.

Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey are the NATO nations holding B61 nuclear bombs in Europe. It would have taken the "explicit political approval of NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group (NPG)" and the authorization of the US and UK president and prime minister, respectively, to arm and load the B-61s. [2][3]

The dangers of nuclear weapons

In 2022 the US, Russia, China, Britain, and France issued a joint statement stating that a nuclear war could have no winner and must be avoided.[4] However, in the face of threats of nuclear war (say from Russia, as threatened during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine),[5][lower-alpha 1] NATO keeps about 100 B61 nuclear bombs in storage in Europe.[7][8][9][10]: 4:50, 5:55  [11][12] This material is from the Power projection article.

Kyle Mizokami assesses Russia as no longer capable of successfully invading other countries with "the possible exception of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania"[2][13] which are protected by NATO Article Five.

Notes and references
  1. When asked about countering tactical nuclear weapons which Russia might possibly use against Ukraine, Mark Esper the US' 27th secretary of defense suggested that US and NATO allies agree to put an 'air cap' over Ukraine, to counter any Russian aircraft capable of delivering a tactical nuclear bomb (most likely a 1-10 kTon gravity bomb, or via Iskander cruise missile), and to warn Russia not to fly such an aircraft at Ukraine.[6]: min 1:30 
  1. NATO headquarters (14 Oct 2022) NATO’s annual nuclear exercise gets underway
  2. Kyle Mizokami Popular Mechanics (21 Oct 2022) Military Aircrews from 14 Countries Meet to Practice Handling Nukes "NATO says the annual 'Steadfast Noon' exercise has nothing to do with Russia’s war—but it's always good to be prepared".
  3. ROBERT VASS and ROBIN SHEPHERD (8 Dec 2022) The Ukraine Fight Is Just Part of Russia’s War "Western leaders must remind their populaces what is under pressure and at stake".
  4. NBC News (4 Jan 2022) Russia, China, Britain, U.S. and France say no one can win nuclear war
  5. Reuters (25 Apr 2022) Russia's Lavrov: Do not underestimate threat of nuclear war
  6. CNN New Day (5 Oct 2022) Ex-US defense secretary says if Putin resorts to nukes, he's likely to use this weapon 1-10 kTon gravity bomb, or Iskander cruise missile
  7. Dan Zak (25 March 2022) Meet the nuke the U.S. keeps in Europe, just waiting to not be used
  8. Robbin Laird (11 Apr 2022) Time to relearn nuclear escalation management for the 21st century
  9. Reuters (30 Apr 2022) Russia says risks of nuclear war must be kept to minimum -TASS
  10. Gen. (USA Ret.) Barry R. McCaffrey (26 Apr 2022) "Putin's threat of nuclear weapons is horrendously unsettling"
  11. Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press (28 Oct 2022) North Korea fires missiles toward sea as US warns over nukes "The Pentagon's National Defense Strategy report issued on Thursday stated that any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners will result in the end of [the DPRK (Kim)] regime".
  12. PBS NewsHour (28 Oct 2022) WATCH LIVE: Defense Secretary Austin holds news briefing to announce 2022 National Defense Strategy Unclassified. Integrated deterrence— Strategy Across all domains
  13. Tim McNulty (8 Dec 2022) Putin forced to patch up elite tank unit with new conscripts after bloodbath in Ukraine 1st Guards Tank Army suffering heavy losses. Wagner group in heavy fighting south of Bakhmut, replenished by mobilized conscripts
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