179th AW Increases Interoperability Through Silver Arrow 2019

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Alexis Wade | Technical Sgt. Spencer Magers, Maintainer from the 179th Airlift Wing Maintenance Group, Mansfield, Ohio, conducts post-flight operations during Saber Junction 2019 (SJ19) September 18, 2019, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. SJ19, an exercise involving nearly 5,400 participants from 16 ally and partner nations and the U.S. Army's Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels Training Areas, is designed to assess the readiness of the U.S. Army's 173rd Infantry Airborne Brigade to execute land operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with participating allies and partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Wade)  

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, GERMANY

10.01.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Alexis Wade 

179th Cyberspace Wing

Members from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio, participated in Silver Arrow September 13-28, 2019, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Members were given the opportunity to complete numerous multinational missions resulting in increased capabilities, readiness, lethality and interoperability for all involved.

Interoperability is the ability for multiple military organizations to quickly come together for an operation and communicate effectively to complete the operation together. This is especially important in a global setting with multinational partners.

“Silver Arrow is designed for Guard and Reserve to participate as a force multiplier in the United States European Command (EUCOM) in regards to exercises, missions and regular training in the international community as well as building relationships with our partners,” said Chief Master Sgt. Michael McDonald, Detachment Superintendent for Silver Arrow at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

While participating in Silver Arrow, the 179th joined an Aeromedical Evacuation Mission with the 86th Air Medical Evacuation Squadron at Ramstein Air Base.

This mission simulated patient transportation to and from the aircraft and in-flight patient care while traveling from Ramstein Air Base to Naval Station Rota, Spain.

“Exercises like these are extremely beneficial for both the 164th and 86th by not only giving each other the opportunity to train on our skills, but to also increase interoperability, globally through this mission.” Said Col. Darren Hamilton, 164th Operations Group Commander, assigned to the 179th Airlift Wing.

Members from the 179th flew back to Spain shortly after their first mission there, however this trip had a different goal behind it.

Members traveled to Lleida, Spain, to participate as a static display in Festa al Cel, Spain’s longest running air show. While there, the aircrew was welcomed by local leaders and government authorities and stayed busy with thousands of individuals in awe of the C-130’s capabilities and size, touring the aircraft and conversing with the aircrew over the course of the two-day air show.

Another air show members participated in while supporting Silver Arrow was in Bosnia.

Members traveled to Bosnia to conduct ground training with the Bosnians, as well as participate in an air show that was opened up to the community with hundreds of school children invited to tour the C-130, forming vital relationships internationally with our counterparts.

While at Ramstein, the 179th had the opportunity to participate in Saber Junction 19 (SJ19), which provided vital opportunities for total forces interoperability training to take place between approximately 5,000 individuals from partner and allied nations’ militaries, U.S. Active components, US. Reserves, and National Guard units.

SJ19 is a 7th Army Training Command (7ATC) conducted, U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) directed exercise designed to assess the readiness of the Army 173rd Airborne Brigade to conduct unified land operations alongside NATO allies and partners.

The 179th provided airlift support with personnel drops, heavy equipment drops and air attack operations.

“This was a great learning exercise for our personnel, as well as a great opportunity to form international relationships and increase our interoperability with all involved through this exercise,” said Lt. Col. Pete Tesner, 179th Airlift Wing’s Director of Operations for Silver Arrow.

Throughout the course of the two weeks, 179th AW members increased their readiness, capabilities, international relationships and interoperability through the numerous missions they were involved in thanks to Silver Arrow.

The missions we’re flying here are directly tied to our Air Force readiness and posture of being able to take the mission forward, and interacting with our active duty counterparts here at Ramstein as well as our joint partners across EUCOM,” said Tesner. “We’re inter-flying with local Air Forces here, supporting missions out of Aviano, Italy. This truly is a joint endeavor which is the core of the C-130 mission, inter-theater tactical airlift. We’re hitting all the high points, checking all the boxing, it is great training for all involved.”

• Date Taken: 10.01.2019
• Date Posted: 10.02.2019 09:53
• Story ID: 344833
• Location: RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, DE
• Hometown: MANSFIELD, OH, US