US Commanders impressed by SAFE SKIES 2011
Related Topics (7)
More related topics
MIRGOROD AIR BASE, UKRAINE– Mirgorod Air Base opened its doors to the media and a few key military leaders on July 22, highlighting the historic significance and achievements of SAFE SKIES 2011.
During his opening remarks the Commander of the Alabama Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Paul Brown, shared, “This historic event is truly the collaborative model that the United States of America will look to duplicate throughout Europe and perhaps the world.” This event is tied to the U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program, in which U.S. states and territories have partnered with foreign nations to enhance collaboration and communication and help achieve shared objectives.
“I’ve been so impressed by how easily the Air Guard team has integrated with the Ukrainian Air Force,” said Brown. “This team of Air Guard members has been able to both work together amongst the 5 states represented, but also excel within this joint-country event…this event truly highlights the relevance and strength of the Air Guard.”
Four generals were able to meet and discuss the importance of the US-Ukrainian collaboration as it pertains to the future and how significant it is considering the countries’ past relationship.
“This program is all about building relationships,” said Maj. Gen. Don Ralph, the Mobilization Assistant to the United States Air Forces in Europe. “We are learning how to build a team… a team that can better protect the airspace in eastern Europe and also collaborate on future endeavors. “
During his visit, Ralph was given the opportunity to fly in an Su-27 and Lt. Gen. Onyschenko, the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, was granted the opportunity to fly in an F-16D. These rides demonstrated that the bonds created are not just formed at the junior officer level, but that senior commanders are also sharing experiences and bonding over the common language of air defense.
SAFE SKIES 2011 is a 14-day multinational aerial event including fighter aircraft from Ukraine, Poland and the United States. This event is the first of its kind in this region as well as the first time Air National Guard fighters have flown out of Ukraine. The event also provides the joint-nation team the opportunity to conduct air sovereignty operations training in preparation for major sporting events in Europe.
With more than 50 scheduled air intercepts to occur throughout Ukrainian and Polish airspace, SAFE SKIES will close at the end of the month. These events have already provided a tremendous opportunity for learning and collaboration, and have proven to be a great success.
Find more articles tagged with:
- military to military
- State Partnership Program
- Ukraine
- Poland
- Air National Guard
- Safe Skies
- mil-to-mil
-
EUCOM senior enlisted seminar hits its mark
ISES, a weeklong U.S. European Command event held at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, concluded on Sept. 13.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Kansas National Guard partners with HDTC for Humanitarian Demining in Armenia
Four soldiers from the Kansas National Guard are working with a civilian representative from the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Training Center to teach international Humanitarian Mine Action standards to members of the Engineering Companies of the Armenian Peacekeeping Brigades Sept. 18-28.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:
-
CNE-CNA Fleet Master Chief Meets Ukraine’s First MCPON, Tours Naval Facilities
The fleet master chief (FLTCM) of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa spent two days touring facilities and meeting junior and senior Ukrainian Sailors along with the recently selected first Ukrainian master chief petty officer of the navy (MCPON) in Sevastopol, Ukraine, Sep. 11.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Ohio National Guard engineers work with Serbian Armed Forces on school reconstruction project
Since early August this year, the Ohio National Guard and the Serbian Armed Forces have been teaming up to make improvements to portions of the school and fix the gym, which was damaged to such a degree that it hasn’t been used in more than a year.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Exercise Screaming Eagle IV continues, improves Poland, US, partnership
Ramstein Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and 86th Airlift Wing continue to train together along with Polish military members in exercise Screaming Eagle IV, here July 24th through August 3rd.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Exercise Sea Breeze 2012 Ends On High Note
Exercise Sea Breeze 2012 (SB12) concluded with a closing ceremony at the Odessa Officer's Club in Odessa, July 21.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Zhemchuzhinka Orphanage Visits USS Jason Dunham
Children from the Zhemchuzhinka orphanage in Odessa, Ukraine, visited the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), July 21.Find more articles tagged with:
-
Multinational partnership and interoperability: Rapid Trident 2012 begins in Ukraine
An opening ceremony was held at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, July 16, officially marking the beginning of Exercise Rapid Trident 2012.Find more articles tagged with:
-
U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band Performs for Odessa Community
Musicians from the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, Topside, performed a concert for the Odessa community at Gorsad Garden, during Exercise Sea Breeze 2012 (SB12), July 11.Find more articles tagged with:
Comments: 0