German Phantoms

I didn’t realise that the German Airforce is still operating the F-4.
Although on reading up on them, they are due to be retired this year.

A friend sent this to me earlier.

“…I was a little surprised to see a German Air Force Phantom 38+58 (still being in operation) at 26,000 feet and
working along with R.A.F Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 (707-300) ZH106 with a Tornado out of Marham hanging around.
A 2nd Sentry was also airborne in the Scottish sector as ZH102.

Also an unspecified number of (believed) F16’s, and at least one KC-135 tanker, plus an unidentified U.S.A.F. type.

They were all working the same controller…”

(F-16s may have been F-15s)

Would this be a normal practice exercise ?