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MIHAIL KOGĂLNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania - U.S. Army’s 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade and the German Air Force completed a joint training mission in Romania, reviving an air exercise last held in the 1970s. This return to a decades-old concept reflects how earlier experiments shaped today’s approach to air combat training.
As helicopters became central to warfare in the 1970s and 1980s, the U.S. military studied how they could fight and survive against air threats, revealing the need for more realistic, force-on-force training.
Building on these lessons, the exercise used U.S. Black Hawk helicopters and German Eurofighter Typhoon jets to test coordination and advanced flight operations. The training was part of a larger NATO partnership in which allied nations regularly train together to strengthen their common defense practices. Romania hosted the exercise, offering the airspace and support needed for the mission.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Stoudt, an aviation mission survivability officer and pilot, said, “With the medevac mission, we wanted to gain experience flying alongside the Eurofighters and see how both aircraft operate in the same environment. It also gave us a chance to cross-train, observe how they conduct air interdictions, and better understand how both aircraft respond in these scenarios. It was a valuable opportunity to work with a highly capable partner force, build interoperability, and strengthen our alliance.”
Another pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Braden Bell, an aeromedical evacuation pilot, explained the helicopter crews’ goal, “We aimed to test our mission survivability techniques and maneuvers. Facing the Eurofighter contingent, we set out to push our capabilities and did so decisively,” he said.
Interoperability, or the ability of allied forces to work together through good communication, shared tactics, and compatible systems, is key. Training like this helps reduce confusion and improve coordination.
Stoudt also highlighted the importance of working alongside multiple partner nations. “This was a great opportunity to work with the Germans. The Romanians have been excellent hosts, and working with the French and other partners has been a great experience. We train together, and we fight together,” he said.
Stoudt also said strong relationships are as vital as technical skills, “Joint training and building an alliance is critical. We share training goals, develop standards, and build relationships that benefit current and future units.”
Stoudt emphasized cooperation beyond branches or nationalities: “At the end of the day, what matters is everyone’s commitment to the mission and supporting each other. When you are here, you are part of the team. We train together to be ready for any adversary,” he said.
One important result of the mission was understanding the need for better communication. Even small differences in language or procedures can be tough, but regular training helps close these gaps and makes everyone more effective.
Romania’s role as host was key to the exercise’s success. By bringing together several allied nations, Romania helped create an environment focused on teamwork and shared learning.
Bringing back this training shows how allies are working together in today’s security environment. As global challenges change, joint exercises help partner nations stay ready to respond as a team.
The mission concluded successfully, with both helicopter and fighter crews reaching their goals. For everyone involved, this revived exercise was a rare training opportunity and an important step toward building stronger alliances within NATO and preparing for the future.
| Date Taken: | 03.16.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.10.2026 09:10 |
| Story ID: | 562315 |
| Location: | MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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