U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
May 9, 2013
Av-Det partners with Poland as first F-16 rotation arrives
By Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Webb
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
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U.S. aircraft, service members and civilian contractors will rotate to the Av-Det on a quarterly basis to foster bilateral defense ties, enhance regional security and increase interoperability among NATO allies through combined training exercises.
The training plan for Av-Det Rotation 13-2 will integrate U.S. and Polish aircraft, to include F-16s, MiG-29s and Su-22s, in simulated air combat scenarios…
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SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany: The first rotation of U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 176th Fighter Squadron, 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, departs for the U.S Aviation Detachment, Lask Air Base, Poland, this week.
More than 90 men and women from the 115th FW will train and integrate with their coalition partners at the Av-Det Rotation 13-2 joint theater security cooperation event.
U.S. aircraft, service members and civilian contractors will rotate to the Av-Det on a quarterly basis to foster bilateral defense ties, enhance regional security and increase interoperability among NATO allies through combined training exercises.
The first fighter rotation is designed to demonstrate the Air Forces’ total force concept, as the Air National Guard and active-duty components team together and integrate with coalition partners to meet combined operational requirements.
“The arrival of the 115th FW represents the next iteration in the aviation detachment’s role as the host and lead coordinating element for bilateral training exercises between the USAF and Polish Air Force,” said Maj. Matthew Spears, Av-Det commander from Pueblo, Colo. “With each rotation, the Av-Det works to improve our processes and build a stronger partnership.”
This is the second of four quarterly exercises hosted by the Av-Det who recently supported C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft from Ramstein Air Base during Exercise Screaming Eagle V.
“Unlike our first rotation consisting of C-130 aircraft from within Europe, the Av-Det faced new and unique challenges with the deployment of a stateside unit,” Spears said…
The training plan for Av-Det Rotation 13-2 will integrate U.S. and Polish aircraft, to include F-16s, MiG-29s and Su-22s, in simulated air combat scenarios with both nations’ forces working toward a common objective.
“The scenarios will challenge our pilots, not only as a test of their skill and knowledge, but in their ability to overcome differences in language, aircraft capabilities, communications systems, and tactics – a true test in interoperability,” said Spears.
The Av-Det rotation 13-2 exercise is scheduled for May 13-24. The unit’s parent wing is the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem AB.
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