After last years visit to the ELITE exercise, with very bad weather and the morning mission being cancelled. Did I try my luck again this year, in the hope the weather would be better, and all participants in the air. And luckily for me was the weather during my visit excellent, with a almost blue sky, moderate temperatures, and a slight breeze over the field. The perfect circumstances to photograph all the participants of this years ELITE exercise. Each year a select group of squadrons from all over Europe are participating in the ELITE exercise, which stands for "Electronic Warfare Live Training Exercise". This exercise is specifically designed to train units in the role of disabling ground based air defence, which is held at the Heuberg Range in southern Germany. Air operations will be performed using 37 different weapon systems, including jets, transport aircraft, support aircraft and helicopters. Which are deployed from nine different bases in Germany and France. The NATO base Geilenkirchen deployed a E-3A AWACS for airspace surveillance and as Mission Control Centre. While from Avord, France a E-3F AWACS was deployed. Other bases that deployed a large amount of aircraft where Neuburg, Landsberg, Laupheim and Spangdahlem. The base with most of the fighters stationed, was Lechfeld. Germany participated with four Tornado ECR's of the JBG 32 and three Tornado IDS of the AG51. Five other countries operated their aircraft from Lechfeld, including: Four Hellenic F-16C/D-50 Fighting Falcons of the 341 Mira (HARM) "Velos", normally based at Néa Anghialos, Greece. Turkey was present with three F-4E 2020 Phantom's of the 111 Filo "Panter", normally based at Eskisehir, and three F-16C/D Fighting Falcons (LANTIRN) of the 181 Filo "Leopard", normally based at Diyarbakir. Italy was present with five Tornado ECR/IDS of the 155 Grupo (ETS) "Black Panthers" , normally based at Piacenza - San Damiano. With the always aggressive looking shark mouths underneath the cockpit. And a special painted Tornado in the shape of the MM7027, which celebrated the 50° Stormo "G. Graffer" 70 years of its constitution and the 65 year anniversary of the 155° Gruppo in 2006. In a beautiful silver and blue looking paint scheme. Furthermore was Spain present with three EF-18A Hornets of the Ala 15, normally based at Zaragoza. And last but not least was Poland present with the three highlights, in the shape of the SU-22UM-3K Fitter normally based at Miroslawiec. After last years visit with terrible weather and a cancelled mission, and the JaboG 32 Public affairs showed that it was more than flexible and helpful to arrange other photographic opportunities. Was also this year again a much appreciated success. With as personal highlights the SU-22 Fitters from Poland, and the very friendly crew of the Turkish F-4E Phantom's, combined with great weather. I would like to thank the JaboG 32 Public affairs and J. Keune for their hospitality, effort and their generous help in making this feature possible.