Courtesy Photo | Senior Airman Craig Jones of the Alabama Air National Guard is standing watch at...... read more read more
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By Maj. Matthew T. Mutti
144th Fighter Wing
MIRGOROD AIR BASE, Ukraine – A myriad of planning goes into an operation as large as SAFE SKIES 2011. During this joint U.S., Ukraine and Polish event, Air National Guard pilots will fly engagements with Ukrainian Su-27, Mig-29s and Polish F-16s on Air Sovereignty operations in preparation for the 2012 EUROCup. Many teams work very hard to ensure a successful event Mirgorod.
Amidst all the fast paced operations at Mirgorod Air Base Ukraine, the quiet defenders work to ensure all U.S. assets are protected from any threat. Both the personnel and the aircraft are under a watchful eye, looking for any potential danger and ways to decrease any threat.
“Whenever you operate from a foreign base, you need to be aware of all of the threats,” said Maj. Jaime McGown , the Anti-Terrorism Officer the Alabama Air National Guard. “We need to ensure the aircraft and equipment is secure. We are working hand-in-hand with the Ukrainians, but just as they are protecting their assets, we are protecting ours.”
“The reality of a deployment is that everyone’s security posture increases. On U.S. soil there are threats that we mitigate through random anti-terrorism measures and some of the same threats exist here. The biggest difference is we are away from home so different threats exist, working together with the Ukrainian team is vital,” said Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Carter, Security Force defender from the Alabama Air National Guard. He stated that the friendships and bonds they are making will last a lifetime.
While sitting on the ramp at 2:30 in the morning, Staff Sgt. Marquis Webster from the Alabama Air National Guard learned he had a shared appreciation of U.S. movies with Capt Serge Pkytko, one of the Ukrainian Air Force members, with whom they discussed favorite actors for hours while defending the ramp at Mirgorod Air Base. While listing some American actors, Pkytko would nod in excitement as he could name a movie in which the actor performed.
“The pilots are securing the airspace, our job is to secure the base, and protect those people who work on it,” said Senior Airman Craig Jones of the Alabama Air National Guard.
The defenders provide the backbone for security, but all 140 members supporting SAFE SKIES are working to protect U.S. assets. With the strong state partnership in place, this resilient and ready force is prepared to complete its mission, both working with the Ukraine Air Force but also completing invaluable training with its Eastern European partners.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2011 14:02 |
| Story ID: | 74074 |
| Location: | MIRGOROD AIR BASE, UA |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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