US Army praises Belgium's leading role in first-ever A400M HIRAIN mission.

On July 15, 2024, the US Army praised a notable achievement by Belgium's 20th Squadron Tactical Airlift of the 15th Wing, marking the first-ever A400M HIRAIN mission. This operation involved deploying the M142 HIMARS system from the 18th Field Artillery Brigade as part of the Winter Shield exercise, which included participation from American and Latvian military personnel. The mission highlighted Belgium's capability to coordinate and execute rapid military deployments within NATO frameworks, emphasizing interoperability among allied forces.
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The HIRAIN (HIMARS Rapid Infiltration) mission involves deploying M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) using aircraft such as the A400M to transport them to strategic locations. (Picture source: Belgian Air Force)

The HIRAIN (HIMARS Rapid Infiltration) mission involves deploying High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) using aircraft such as C-130s or C-17s to transport them to strategic locations. Upon arrival, the HIMARS units are unloaded, conduct a fire mission, and are then reloaded onto the aircraft for redeployment. This method aims to enable rapid deployment and precision artillery strikes while minimizing detection and counter-attack risks. HIRAIN missions represent a collaborative effort between various military branches, including the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, to enhance joint interoperability and readiness for diverse combat scenarios.

The HIRAIN mission on December 5, 2023, represented the first successful A400M HIRAIN mission and the first A400M HIRAIN live-fire exercise. Conducted during the Winter Shield exercise, it involved soldiers from the US Army's Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, alongside Latvian, Luxembourgish, and NATO Enhanced Presence Battlegroup personnel. The mission required precise coordination and international planning.

The operation began at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where an M142 HIMARS mobile rocket launch system, loaded with live training ammunition, along with a platoon operations center vehicle and their crews, was taken on board. Upon reaching the Latvian Lielvārdes Air Base, the system was unloaded, and the unit moved to the Ādaži Training Area. After launching three rockets at targets identified by Belgian Special Forces, they returned to Lielvārdes, and the aircraft took off again for Ramstein. This mission built upon a previous load test and validation conducted in November 2023 involving Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the United States, demonstrating that NATO's A400M users can deploy these systems swiftly to defend NATO territories.

After launching three rockets at targets identified by Belgian Special Forces, the US Army's M142 HIMARS returned to Lielvārdes, and the A400M aircraft took off again for Ramstein. (Picture source: Belgian Air Force)

Capt. Andrew Shaughnessy, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3-27 FAR, noted that this multinational and joint operation validated new HIRAIN tactics, techniques, and procedures. He emphasized that with many A400Ms in the NATO fleet and the European Air Transport Command, this event increased the number of mobility aircraft capable of executing HIRAINs within NATO.

Following the 2023 load test, German 62 Air Transport Wing's loadmaster subject matter experts developed common load plans for all European Air Transport Command A400M nations for the HIMARS and the platoon operations center mounted on a Humvee. Despite significant coordination challenges and input requirements from USAF stakeholders, the Belgians executed the live validation successfully.

The 20th Squadron Tactical Airlift, 15th Wing Air Transport, stationed in Melsbroek, Belgium, performed the HIRAIN live validation with a mix of Belgian and Luxembourgish crew members. Belgian Maj. Nicholas Dhont, section chief air transport A3.4, noted that despite the unit's transitional phase from operating the C-130H to the A400M as its primary weapons system, the mission's success demonstrated Belgium's ability to execute specialized tasks swiftly and effectively. This achievement underscored Belgium's reliability as a NATO partner capable of projecting fires capabilities along Europe's eastern flank and highlighted the enhanced functionality of the A400M weapons system in supporting HIMARS operations.

Following the 2023 load test, German 62 Air Transport Wing's loadmaster subject matter experts developed common load plans for all European Air Transport Command A400M nations for the HIMARS and the platoon operations center mounted on a Humvee. (Picture source: Belgian Air Force)

Luxembourg Capt. Ben Kauffman, the aircraft commander of the A400M during the mission and mission commander of the airlift operation, focused on the mission's operational and tactical requirements, aiming to enable tactical air-land operations. He noted that the successful mission opened new capabilities for NATO, illustrating effective interoperability between allied forces.

The mission's success validated the A400M's capabilities, proving it as a key transport asset within the European Union and strengthening collaboration among NATO partners. Kauffman remarked that flying to Latvia with a U.S. load demonstrated that any nation within Europe can expect support from NATO allies.

The mission's success during Latvia's Winter Shield exercise carries significant implications for future military operations. Capt. Rachelle Stewart, the commander of Charlie Battery, 3-27 FAR at the time, praised her soldiers for their rigorous training and performance, highlighting the mission's importance in demonstrating the ability to conduct cross-country, cross-platform operations with NATO allies.

Both Dhont and Stewart acknowledged the challenges of pre-coordination among participating nations but emphasized the resilience and determination that led to the mission's success. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Benjamin Jepko, a fire directions officer for Winter Shield, assigned to 3-27 FAR, expressed similar sentiments, valuing the collaboration with experts from different nations.

Since the introduction of HIMARS into the European theater, beginning with the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade in 2022, HIMARS battalions have significantly enhanced interoperability with NATO partners. Capt. Stewart concluded that HIMARS remains a relevant and effective weapon system, vital for NATO's strategic operations.

In October 2021, the Belgian Air Force deployed its A400M for its first international exercise during the Airlift Block Training (ABT) in Pisa, Italy. (Picture source: Belgian Air Force)