A-10s Land On an Austere Runway in Haapsalu, Estonia

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bobbie Reynolds | U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, assigned to 107th Fighter Squadron, Selfridge, Mich., practice landing on a unoperational, austere runway in Haapsalu, Estonia, during Saber Strike 18 June 7, 2018. This event tests and demonstrates USAF capability to perform unimproved surface operations invaluable to pilots and combat controllers in preperation for effective responses, while training with NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battlegroups. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt Bobbie Reynolds)  

HAAPSULA, ESTONIA

06.07.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Bobbie Reynolds 

140th Wing

A-10 pilots and combat controllers train together for real-life scenarios that may involve landing on runways with harsh environments, in order to enhance accuracy and combat effectiveness, highlighting the flexibility of ground and air force personnel and aircraft, when responding during wartime missions.
Saber Strike 18 provides the type of training that is becoming increasingly invaluable for both pilots and combat controllers from the United States as well as our European partners. It ensures objectives set forth such as improving land and air operational capabilities are met. It strengthens the reliability of the military in an effort to deter aggression of our enemies.
“The assumption is the enemy will try to destroy capabilities on known airfields,” said Maj. David R. Dennis, pilot and acting detachment director of operations in Latvia, assigned to the 107th Fighter Squadron, Mich. “The A-10 has been tasked to forward deploy into areas that are more austere such as old runways, riverbeds or old highways, so we can continue to provide close air support to crews on the ground.”
In addition to challenging environments, Saber Strike also provides the opportunity to support training objectives, while working alongside NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battlegroups.
“One of the most important training objectives we learn from this type of training is trusting the pilot,” said Dennis. “The second is the pilot trusting the aircraft. As you operate in this type of austere environment, the pilot has to have the confidence that they can actually land the aircraft and execute the mission safely. Last, but equally important, is ensuring the special tactics squadron and ground crew remain proficient and current with training.”
When war becomes a real threat, the A10 is a powerful asset, when considering aircraft that are well suited to handle landing areas that aren’t on the map. It’s necessary to continually run scenarios that could potentially save lives, protect assets and prevent location information from reaching our adversaries.
“Our thoughts are always with the people and troops on the ground,” said Dennis. “Day five…day six…day 10 of the war, the assumption is that the airfields the Air Force has been operating out of are probably compromised in some manner and in order to continue to run the mission, we'll need to find other civil means with which we can continue combat operations.”
These type of exercise puts the U.S. in a position to stand strong next to it’s global military community and help prevent conflict. The idea is to deter and if necessary, to defend by training in various conditions all over the world.
“As a larger Air Force, we want to continue to ensure our NATO partners that we, the United States, will be willing to accept and fulfill our obligations within NATO, if that time should ever come,” said Dennis.

• Date Taken: 06.07.2018
• Date Posted: 06.16.2018 11:48
• Story ID: 281236
• Location: HAAPSULA, EE
• Hometown: TALLINN, 37, EE