U.S. Air Forces in Europe
U.S. Air Forces Africa
June 10, 2014
BALTOPS 14 kicks-off
By Airman 1st Class Kyla Gifford
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
POWIDZ AIR BASE, Poland: The 100th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron began its participation in the 42nd annual Baltic Operations Exercise June 9, 2014, as it traveled from RAF Mildenhall, England, to Powidz Air Base, Poland.
During the journey in their KC-135 Stratotanker, the members of the 100th EARS refueled F-16 C/D Fighting Falcons while on their way to Poland, where they will operate from for the remainder of the exercise.
The U.S. Navy-hosted exercise, known as BALTOPS, aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic Sea through cooperation among regional allies. Military forces from 12 countries and NATO will participate BALTOPS – the largest multinational maritime exercise this year in the Baltic Sea.
In addition, the U.S. Air Force will provide fighter aircraft for maritime interdiction and dissimilar air combat training.
“The 100th EARS will provide aerial refueling to the approximately 50 aircraft participating in BALTOPS throughout the exercise,” said Capt. Jonathan Edwards, 100th EARS.
The exercise provides the opportunity for personnel to engage in realistic air combat training to build experience, teamwork and strengthen NATO interoperability as the participating nations work towards mutual goals.
“By participating in BALTOPS we are contributing to a safe and stable future for the Baltics while our Airmen gain important training in a unique operating area,” said Edwards. “It demonstrates that we share a commitment with our NATO allies and partners to promote peace and stability in the region.”
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U.S. Air Forces in Europe
U.S. Air Forces Africa
June 10, 2014
Saber Strike unites ten countries
By Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa
ADAZI TRAINING AREA, Latvia:- Approximately 4,700 service members from ten countries including the United States have come together during a kick-off ceremony for Saber Strike June 9, 2014 at the Adazi training area, Latvia.
Saber Strike is a long-standing, multilateral security cooperation exercise that is conducted at locations throughout the Baltic region. This year’s objective is to facilitate cooperation amongst the United States, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to improve joint operational capability in a range of missions as well as prepare the participating nations and units to support multilateral contingency operations. A U.S. Army Europe-led exercise, Saber Strike 2014 is also supported by joint and total force service members from the U.S. Air Force, and the Army and Air National Guards.
“Saber Strike will prove invaluable to the interoperability as we move towards a post international security assistance force environment,” said U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, deputy chief of staff, mobilization and reserve affairs…
Participating countries include the Baltic Nations of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The diverse allied nations gathered together with the goal to improve synchronized and prepared responses to regional security threats and missions.
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The various exercises conducted will focus on command and control as well as interoperability with regional partners and will be comprised of host nation-supported command post, computer assisted, and situational training exercises. The U.S. Air Force will also be playing a role by providing close air support to partner nation ground forces and demonstrating air deployment of forces and equipment.
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By looking forward the United States and its allies ensure they are ready to provide capabilities and execute missions in support of combatant commands and achieve national objectives. Saber Strike, and exercises like it, allows the U.S., the Baltics and other partner nations to integrate capabilities and interoperability to help sustain alliance and partnerships, and to protect the security and stability of the region.
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