Photo By Master Sgt. Charles Vaughn | Safe Skies 2011 is a military-to-military exchange between the U.S., Ukraine and...... read more read more
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By Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn
144th Fighter Wing
MIRIGROD, Ukraine -- The 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno Air National Guard Base, California is partnered with Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine through the National Guard State Partnership Program. Through this program, they have developed a strong tie to this former soviet bloc-country that was displayed during Safe Skies2011.
Safe Skies2011 is a 2-week multinational flying event where the Air National Guard will help prepare Ukraine and Poland to better protect their airspace during the 2012 Eurocup. The Air National Guard F-16C/D aircraft are playing a major role in this preparation by flying air sovereignty missions with both the Polish and Ukrainian air forces.
California has been planning this event since 2009. “Our partnership has laid the foundation for this event, and this engagement is providing Ukraine an amazing opportunity to learn more about air sovereignty operations as they prepare for the EUROCup 2012,” said Lt. Col. Robert Swertfager, Safe SkiesProject Officer and member of the 144th Fighter Wing.
During Safe Skies2011 there are more than 60 air sovereignty intercepts scheduled to occur. Members of the Western Air Defense Sector traveled to Mirgorod Air Base to provide support and to work with their Ukrainian partners. Ukrainian SU-27s, Mig-29s and Polish F-16s will intercept Air National Guard aircraft during these air sovereignty events. The Air National Guard F-16s will act like distressed or hijacked aircraft, creating a potential airborne threat over the Ukrainian or Polish populace. Scenarios like these will require Ukrainian and Polish air force support and will force our new allied partners to test their alter response mechanisms, which will better prepare them for a real airborne threat.
“We learned so much from the events of Sept. 11, 2001,” said Lt. Col. Kirk Toomey, the Safe SkiesOperations project officer and alert commander at the 144th Fighter Wing. “We want to share from our experiences and better enable them to protect their citizens from any terrorist threats. Protecting the EUROCup spectators is similar to us protecting the football fans watching the Super Bowl.”
During this event, Air National Guard pilots will also work with the Polish air force to test any communication limitations, specific to air sovereignty operations. “The collaboration with Poland is also a very important aspect of this event,” said Toomey. “Working with Poland is similar to the U.S. working with Canada, understanding each others’ tactics is critical to the collaboration required in air sovereignty missions.”
Toomey added, “This state partnership initiative sets the foundation for future training with Ukraine. The lessons learned during this engagement will provide us with valuable information for deploying Fresno fighter aircraft and personnel in the future.”
The two week event concludes Thursday evening with a friendship dinner. “It’s a time for us to reflect on the interactions that have taken place during Safe Skies 2011 and an opportunity to look forward to future partnership events,” said Swertfager.
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2011 08:12 |
| Story ID: | 74367 |
| Location: | MIRIGROD, UA |
| Web Views: | 192 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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