493rd FS trains in support of OAR
By Senior Airman Erin Trower, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published August 19, 2016
ÄMARI AIR BASE, Estonia --
Aircraft and personnel assigned to bases an ocean apart joined together to participate in a multilateral flying training deployment Aug.15 to Sept. 2, 2016, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Sixteen U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles, 12 assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and four assigned to the 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, California Air National Guard in Fresno, are participating in the exercise, alongside Estonia, Finland, Sweden and the U.K., while in Estonia.
The FTD also allows supporting U.S. personnel to collaborate and interact with host-nation and NATO allies, and to familiarize themselves with different operational and logistical procedures. Partaking in rotational training deployments allows forces to train together and strengthen their relationships without the need to permanently base additional aircraft and Airmen in Europe.
“When we’re just training at Lakenheah all the time, we get into our own pattern and rhythm out there,” said Capt. Alexander Lisot, 493rd FS assistant director of scheduling. “This is nice because it’s something different. It’s a new experience, we’re seeing news things, and different things can happen.”
The forces will train jointly for the next two weeks, to enhance their mutual abilities to work together toward regional security.
“It’s important to us to develop regional ties with our fellow allies and practice and work together,” Lisot said.
Although the 493rd FS is working closely with international allies, they are also working alongside the ANG’s 194th EFS.
According to Senior Airman Alma Martinez, 194th EFS aviation resource manager, working alongside the active duty has strengthened her knowledge within her respective career field.
“There are things they do that we don’t, so this training allows us to take that knowledge back home to our Airmen,” Martinez said. “It’s something else we can learn back home to make us more proficient in our jobs.”
Frequent training exercises help maintain readiness and promote a strong allied partnership for today and for the future. U.S. Air Forces in Europe allows for quick movements and enables global U.S. forces, both ANG and active duty, to be ready at a moment's notice.