An Ukrainian SU-27 returns to Mirgorod Air Base from the final air intercept mission during SAFE SKIES 2011. SAFE SKIES is a multinational aerial event designed to provide a unique opportunity for Ukrainian, Polish and American Air Forces to fly together to help prepare the Polish and Ukrainians for enhanced air supremacy and air sovereignty operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn 144FW/PA)
An Ukrainian SU-27 departs Mirgorod Air Base for the final air intercept mission during SAFE SKIES 2011. SAFE SKIES is a multinational aerial event designed to provide a unique opportunity for Ukrainian, Polish and American Air Forces to fly together to help prepare the Polish and Ukrainians for enhanced air supremacy and air sovereignty operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn 144FW/PA)
Ukraine SU-27s fly with Air National Guard F-16s over the sunflower fields of Ukraine during SAFE SKIES 2011. Safe Skies 2011 is a military-to-military exchange between the US, Ukraine and Poland to enhance airspace security over the Ukraine and Poland in preparation for Eurocup 2012. (U. S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn, 144 FW/PA / Released)
An Ukrainian SU-27 takes off from Mirgorod Air Base Ukraine; two Air National Guard F-16Cs are in the foreground. The Air National Guard is in Ukraine supporting SAFE SKIES 2011, a 2-week multinational flying event preparing Ukraine and Poland to better protect their airspace during the 2012 EUROPCUP. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn, 144 FW/PA / Released)
Two Air National Guard F-16s fly in formation with 2 Ukraine SU-27s over Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine while a chase plane sits in the background. The Air National Guard is in Ukraine supporting SAFE SKIES 2011, a 2-week multinational flying event preparing Ukraine and Poland to better protect their airspace during the 2012 EUROPCUP. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. James D. Berg, 144 FW/CF / Released)
A Ukrainian SU-27 fighter aircraft taxies by an Alabama Air National Guard at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine. The Air National Guard is in Ukraine supporting SAFE SKIES 2011, a 2-week multinational flying event preparing Ukraine and Poland to better protect their airspace during the 2012 EUROPCUP. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn, 144 FW/PA / Released)
Maj. Gen. Don Ralph and Lt. Gen. Vasyl Nikiforov stand in front of an Ukrainian SU-27 discussing their upcoming flight at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine during SAFE SKIES 2011 on July 22, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Matthew T. Mutti, 104FW/CCE)
Lt. Gen. Vasyl Nikiforov and Maj. Gen. Don Ralph Nikiforov sit in an Ukrainian SU-27 preparing for their upcoming flight at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine during SAFE SKIES 2011 on July 22, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Matthew T. Mutti, 104FW/CCE)
Air National Guard F-16Cs fly in formation with a Ukrainian SU-27 over Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine during SAFE SKIES 2011 on July 22, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn, 144 FW/PA)
An Air National Guard F-16C taxis down the ramp at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, preparing to be intercepted by Ukrainian SU-27s during SAFE SKIES 2011. SAFE SKIES 2011 is a joint Ukraine, Poland, U.S. aerial exchange event. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Maj. Matthew T. Mutti, 104FW/CCE, Released).
An Alabama F-16C taxis at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, in the background, Ukraine SU-27s sit perched on the ramp ready to begin the training event at SAFE SKIES 2011. SAFE SKIES 2011 is a joint Ukraine, Poland, U.S. aerial exchange event. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Maj. Matthew T. Mutti, 104FW/CCE, Released).
An Alabama F-16C lands at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, in the foreground Ukraine SU-27s sit perched on the ramp ready to begin the training event at SAFE SKIES 2011. SAFE SKIES 2011 is a joint Ukraine, Poland, U.S. aerial exchange event. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Maj. Matthew T. Mutti, 104FW/CCE, Released).
Capt. Frank Prokop, an F-16 pilot from the Alabama Air National Guard sits in the back seat of a Ukrainian SU-27 before his orientation ride on July 19, 2011 with Ukraine Col. Oleh Ges flying in the front seat during exercise SAFE SKIES 2011. SAFE SKIES 2011 is a joint Ukraine, Poland, U.S. aerial exchange event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn, 144 FW/PA)
An Alabama F-16C taxis in front of Ukrainian SU-27s and MIG-29s, on the ramp at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine. This aircraft is the first Air National Guard fighter to ever land on Ukrainian soil in preparation for SAFE SKIES 2011, a joint Ukraine, Poland, U.S. aerial exchange event in Ukraine. (U.S. Air Force By Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn, 144 FW/PA /released)