Recently I have read of concern in Poland of decreasing U.S. engagement due to the U.S. “rebalance” to Asia, thereby losing interest in Poland and Europe as strategic partners.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
One crew chief waves to another during the beginning of a familiarization flight in Poland. Six aircraft from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, deployed to Poland as part of a partnership-building event July 15-26, 2013.
Tech. Sgt. Tanner Ike of the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron’s 510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Aviano Air Base, Italy, is at Lask Air Base, Poland, working with his Polish counterparts to fill up a liquid oxygen tank. Six aircraft along with personnel deployed to Poland as part of a partnership-building event July 15-26, 2013.
Members of the Polish Armed forces render a salute during an Aviation Detachment (AV DET) activation ceremony on the flightline of Lask Air Base, Poland, Nov. 9, 2012. The AV DET will be an enduring presence with 10 Airmen, but F-16 and C-130 crews and aircraft will rotate periodically for training, where the total number of personnel could surge up to 250. The AV DET supports Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
“Diving is unique, because your life depends on your fellow divers. Working together helps to increase interoperability of these different navies and therefore builds up trust and friendship.”
-Lt. Cmdr. Gary Hunter
U.S. exercise planner for EP Dive 2013
We head to Naples, Italy, where members of the Air Force are sharing their skills and experience with their counterparts from the Italian air force academy.
Getting the mission done is easier with help from our partner nations. A1C Erin Mills takes us to RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom where U.S. helicopter pilots and members of the Royal Navy teamed up to take on one of the most difficult kinds of landings.
The recent cold snap here has affected many countries across eastern Europe. SSgt Nathan Parry shows us how the United States is helping one country through a very difficult winter.
Bosnia Military to Military Exchange. U.S. and NATO forces called in for disaster assistance and relief effort due to heavy snowfall and bitter cold temperatures in Sarajevo, Bosnia.
U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Air Force in Europe assisted the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with the delivery of helicopter equipment, petroleum, lubricant and oil to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Feb. 12.
Airmen from the 37th Airlift Squadron on Ramstein AFB, Ramstein, Germany load supplies onto a C-130 Hercules on Feb.12, 2012. The delivery is part of a military-to-military exchange between Bosnia and Herzegovina and U.S. Forces in efforts to help citizens with severe weather, heavy snow and intense cold that have stricken the country over the last week.
On Feb.12, 2012 U.S. Forces made a delivery which is part of a military-to-military exchange between Bosnia and Herzegovina and U.S. Forces in efforts to help citizens with severe weather, heavy snow and intense cold that have stricken the country over the last week.
Sarajevo Airport personnel assist with downloading equipment that was delivered to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 12, 2012. The delivery was part of a military-to-military exchange between BiH and U.S. Forces.
Sarajevo Airport personnel assist with downloading equipment that was delivered to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 12, 2012. The delivery was part of a military-to-military exchange between BiH and U.S. Forces.
Sarajevo Airport personnel assist with downloading equipment that was delivered to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 12, 2012. The delivery was part of a military-to-military exchange between BiH and U.S. Forces.
Sarajevo Airport personnel assist with downloading equipment that was delivered to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 12, 2012. The delivery was part of a military-to-military exchange between BiH and U.S. Forces.
Sarajevo Airport personnel assist with downloading equipment that was delivered to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 12, 2012. The delivery was part of a military-to-military exchange between BiH and U.S. Forces.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gary Huffman, commander, NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina Air Force Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Major-General Rizvo Pleh stand in attendance after the delivery of equipment, Feb. 12. The delivery was part of a military-to-military exchange between BiH and U.S. Forces in efforts to help citizens with severe weather, heavy snow and intense cold that have stricken the country over the last week.
U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia Patrick S. Moon, talks to members of the 37th Airlift Squadron from Ramstein AB, Germany in Sarajevo, Bosnia on Feb. 12, 2012. Thanks and appreciation came after a military-to-military exchange between Bosnia and Herzegovina and U.S. Forces.
The U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Patrick S. Moon, talk to an American Forces Network (AFN) reporter in Sarajevo, Bosnia on Feb. 12, 2012. Moon stated that the help from the U.S. Forces were greatly needed as well as appreciated.
Brig. Gen. Christophe Gomart, commanding general of French Special Operations Command, left, meets with Maj. Gen. Michael S. Repass, commanding general of Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), as part of a visit to Stuttgart, Germany on Nov. 8 to facilitate communication and cooperation between France and SOCEUR for future Special Operations Forces engagements.
Brig. Gen. Christophe Gomart, commanding general of French Special Operations Command, left, takes part in a live video teleconference with deployed French Special Operations Forces personnel while touring Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) as Maj. Gen. Michael S. Repass, SOCEUR commanding general, looks on. Gomart visited Stuttgart, Germany on Nov. 8 to facilitate communication and cooperation between France and SOCEUR for future Special Operations Forces engagements.
LIMASSOL, Cyprus (Nov. 6, 2011) - Cmdr. Kyle J. Colton, (right) commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), gives a tour of the ship to Mr. Demetris Eliades (center), Cyprus' minister of defense; Cypriot Col. Marios Makriyiannis (left center), director of minister's military staff; Ms. Aliki Stylianou (center right), press officer; and Mr. Andrew Schofer (left), U.S. Embassy Nicosia charge d'Affairs, during the ship's port visit. Ramage is currently supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
LIMASSOL, Cyprus (Nov. 6, 2011) - Cmdr. Kyle J. Colton, (center right) commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) gives a tour of the ship to Mr. Demetris Eliades, (center left) Cyprus' minister of defense; Ms. Aliki Stylianou (right), press officer; and Mr. Andrew Schofer (left), U.S. Embassy Nicosia charge d'Affairs, during the ship's port visit. Ramage is currently supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
BURGAS, Bulgaria – The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea arrived in Burgas, Oct. 25, for a regularly scheduled port visit as part of U.S. 6th Fleet’s strategy to enhance regional stability in the Black Sea by strengthening maritime partnerships.
SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine (Oct. 21, 2011) - Ukrainian Lt. Moiseinko Ihoe (right) observes bridge operations as the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) arrives in Sevastopol for a port visit. Philippine Sea is on a scheduled deployment in the Black Sea and serves to promote peace and security in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) pulled into Batumi, Georgia, Oct. 17, and was welcomed by traditional Georgian dancers, local media, and military and civilian leaders.
Four Bulgarian sailors embarked aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, Oct. 15, in order to gain a better understanding of how the U.S. Navy conducts operations underway.
The National Guard State Partnership Program paired 144th Fighter Wing from Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, with Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine. Through the program, and SAFE SKIES 2011, the 144th Fighter Wing has developed a strong bond with the former soviet bloc-country.
Air National Guard F-16C/D fighters from Alabama and Iowa, and 130 personnel from California, Alabama, Washington, Wisconsin and Massachusetts relocated here to support SAFE SKIES 2011, a multinational event, where the Air National Guard flies with the Ukrainian and Polish Air Forces to help provide better airspace defense for the upcoming 2012 EUROCup.
Pilots experience intense forces during every flight. It is up to the Life Support team and medical staff assigned to it to ensure that physiological effects don’t negatively affect the mission.
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.
Amidst all the fast paced operations at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, the quiet defenders work to ensure all United States assets are protected from any threat. Both personnel and aircraft are under a watchful eye, being kept ready for any potential danger or threat.
A team of four controllers from the Western Air Defense Sector is participating in SAFE SKIES 2011 a joint US, Ukraine and Polish event in which American Air National Guard pilots fly engagements with Ukrainian Su-27s, MiG-29s and Polish F-16s to develop the Ukraine and Polish air sovereignty operations in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, 2012 EUROCup and 2014 Winter Games in Europe. The involvement truly demonstrates the true strength of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.
During SAFE SKIES 2011, a joint US, Ukraine and Polish event where Air National Guard pilots fly engagements with Ukrainian SU-27, Mig-29s and Polish F-16s on air sovereignty operations in preparation for the 2012 Olympics and 2012 EUROCup and 2014 Winter Games in Europe.
SAFE SKIES 2011 officially started today as Airmen of the Alabama, California, Massachusetts and Washington Air National Guard participated in opening ceremonies here at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine.
More than 140 members of the Air National Guard landed aircraft in Ukraine, preparing for a US European Command sponsored aerial military-to-military exchange event titled SAFE SKIES 2011.
