493rd FS trains in support of OAR

Photo By Staff Sgt. Erin Trower | A multinational flying training deployment in support of Atlantic Resolve is taking place at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Aug. 15 to Sept. 2, 2016. The 493rd Fighter Squadron, assigned to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and the 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, assigned to the California Air National Guard in Fresno, is participating in the FTD with 16 F-15C Eagle aircraft in focus of maintaining security and building partnership capacity with Estonia. The U.S. and partner nations conducted land, sea and air exercises and maintained a rotational presence in order to reinforce NATO security commitments in Europe. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Erin Trower)  

ÄMARI AIR BASE, ESTONIA

08.18.2016

Story by Senior Airman Erin Trower 

48th Fighter Wing

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 ‘forward, ready, now,’ at a moment's notice.

• Date Taken: 08.18.2016
• Date Posted: 08.18.2016 14:28
• Story ID: 207588
• Location: ÄMARI AIR BASE, EE