510th Fighter Squadron deploys to Afghanistan
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Airmen from the 510th Fighter Squadron, the "Buzzards," deployed to Afghanistan May 23 in support of overseas contingency operations bringing with them new technological capabilities.
"This is the first combat deployment for the 510th Fighter Squadron since returning from Iraq in the summer of 2007," said Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Sarakatsannis, 510th FS commander. "It also marks the first combat deployment of Common Configuration Implementation Program modified F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing."
The 31st FW F-16s recently completed the CCIP modification, which adds new aircraft capabilities, to include the Link-16 datalink, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles. Link-16 is a data exchange network that integrates multiple control and system platforms, while JHMCS enhances pilot situational awareness by projecting holographic data on the inside of the visor, allowing pilots to continually survey and distinguish between friendly and enemy air and ground targets. The AIM 9X is the newest variant of the Sidewinder missile.
"The squadron is highly trained and ready to provide airpower support to US and coalition ground forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom," Sarakatsannis said.
Their mission will include both kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in support of friendly forces.
Preparation for this deployment began in the fall, when the 510th FS focused on upgrade programs to ensure they could deploy with the right mix of wingmen, flight leads and instructor pilots. Additional training was also required to ensure pilot qualification on new aircraft avionics and the SNIPER Advanced Targeting Pod.
In January, the squadron deployed to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to participate in Combat Hammer, where they were evaluated on precision-guided munitions and 20mm strafe employment. Following Combat Hammer, the squadron spent four weeks at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., where they participated in Air Combat Command's premier close air support training exercise, known as Green Flag West. During this exercise, they provided air support to a Canadian Army Task Force on rotation to the U.S. National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif. They trained with joint terminal air controllers from Canada and all branches of the U.S. armed services.
"Our participation in these two exercises provided us with exactly the right training we needed, and permitted us to complete 90 percent of our deployment training plan," Sarakatsannis said.
With this training, the colonel said the 510th FS is fully prepared for this deployment.
"Our Airmen are absolutely ready to go," he said. "Both our pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel have trained hard and long for this deployment. For most of our folks, this will be their first deployment, but they are very excited to be able to contribute to the U.S. and coalition efforts in the region."
Find more articles tagged with:
- U.S. Air Forces in Europe
- USAFE
- IT
- 510th Fighter Squadron
- Aviano Air Base
- Afghanistan
- NATO
- information technology
-
81st FS plays critical role in NATO exercise
The 81st Fighter Squadron is participating in a Ramstein ROVER 2012 Sept. 5-22.Find more articles tagged with:
-
JMTC hosts CE participants for 3rd year
The Joint Multinational Training Command, or JMTC, here, is hosting more than 40 nations and multinational organizations participating in Combined Endeavor for the third year in a row.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Airmen, Soldiers provide network ops for CE12
Without the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany and the 35th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Charlie Company, Port Nuevo, Puerto Rico, Combined Endeavor 2012 could not happen.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Combined Endeavor 2012 welcomes 147 multinational distinguished visitors
Looking through the crowd of 147 multinational distinguished guests in their military uniforms and business suits, is difficult not to appreciate the level of commitment that each nation has made toward building partnerships.Find more articles tagged with:
-
ILA 2012 features US military aircraft
More than 300 aircraft from about 50 different nations are on display this week at the Berlin Air Show, commonly know as ILA 2012.Find more articles tagged with:
-
German exchange pilot brings C-17 for the Berlin 2012 Air Show
As the Charleston based C-17 Globemaster III landed in Germany for the 2012 Berlin Air Show, one aircrew member brought with him a different set of experiences.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Combined Endeavor: Working together, developing solutions
Combined Endeavor 2012, or CE12, provides communications professionals the opportunities to work together and develop solutions while building relationships in a controlled environment.Find more articles tagged with:
-
AES Airmen test capabilities on new airframe
Airmen from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron tested their aeromedical evacuation capabilities on a new airframe here Sept. 3.Find more articles tagged with:
-
ISAF and NTMA senior enlisted brief NATO partners
ISAF senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel provided an operational update to International Senior Enlisted Symposium attendees at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.Find more articles tagged with:
-
World’s Largest Communication Exercise Kicks Off
Combined Endeavor 2012, the world’s largest military communications exercise, kicked off Sept. 6 at the Joint Military Training Command on U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwöhr, Germany.Find more articles tagged with:
Comments: 0