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High altitude training strengthens US, NATO military capability

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Air Force Reserve tanker aircrew and aircraft maintainers from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., joined forces with U.S. European Command and NATO fighter squadrons to execute refueling training missions from Jan. 25-Feb. 4, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Operation Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of the United States' continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region, in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine.

According to European Command, the European Reassurance Initiative enables DoD to continue conducting military exercises and training on land, in the air and at sea, while sustaining a rotational presence across Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. It also allows the U.S. to continue to take the necessary actions to increase the readiness and responsiveness not only of its military forces in Europe, but also of its NATO allies and partners to address any threat and help deter further destabilizing activities in the region.

The Reserve Airmen assigned to the 514th Air Mobility Wing here spent those two weeks at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, honing their skills with the 52nd Fighter Wing, a U.S. Air Force unit out of Spangdahlem  Air Base, Germany, and with the Greek air force, both flying the F-16 Fighting Falcons.

The experience was mutually beneficial the Reserve tanker pilots collectively voiced as they gained more experience working within international constraints and guidelines, and for two of the pilots, it was their first time refueling foreign fighters. The crew agreed the most challenging part was getting used to the foreign accents from the air traffic controllers which they handled by clarifying communications more often.
 
"We all use the same procedures when it comes to refueling," said the tanker aircraft commander referring to both the receiver and refueler. "The only difference is that some NATO nations have no contact specifically with the KC-10 for months," he said.

Unlike the American fighter pilots who routinely receive fuel from the bigger tanker, the Greek fighter pilots had little to no previous experience refueling with the KC-10. That factor did not stop the successful completion of the mission. The numbers reflect how well the training went. By the end of the operation, the Freedom Wing crews amassed 108 refueling contacts.

The maintainers also contributed to the success of the mission.

Being far away from home station increases the importance of ensuring aircraft maintenance is a nonissue. The eight-man team from the 714th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron arrived with the basic kit and parts and was on hand to handle all problems.
"Having a complete crew of maintainers on hand to keep the tanker flying was invaluable, as it's impossible to foresee what maintenance issues may arise," said one of the aircrew members.

Only one aircraft issue kept the tanker on the ground for a short period of time during the operation, and with the right part, the maintenance crew had the refueler back in operation for its final day of flying.

More training opportunities are slated in 2016 as Operation Atlantic Resolve will remain in place as long as the need exists to reassure U.S. allies and deter Russia from regional hegemony.