KC-135s arrive in the Czech Republic for Ample Strike

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  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa

Ample Strike 22 is a Czech Republic-led, multi-national live-fire exercise that offers advanced Air/Land Integration Training to Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in coordination with fighter aircraft, from Sept. 5-16, 2022. During the exercise, JTACs and aircraft will conduct day and night operations in the Czech Republic to improve NATO Allies and Partner nation interoperability in simulated highly contested environments.

KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard, will be based at Pardubice Airport, Czech Republic, and provide aerial refueling. F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron will provide close air support to JTACs. AH-64 Apache aircraft assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, USAG Ansbach, Germany, will be based at Námĕšt nad Oslavou throughout the exercise and also provide close air support to JTACs.

U.S. JTACs are assigned to the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and the 321st Special Tactics Squadron, stationed with the 352d Special Operations Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England. They will operate out of training areas near the 22nd helicopter base at Námĕšt nad Oslavu, Czech Republic.

Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia are also participating in the exercise. Participation in the exercise will give NATO Allies and partners the opportunity to train and hone joint warfighting capability and tactical skills together in dynamic and unfamiliar terrains and air space. The partnerships created through recurring training events like Ample Strike, better support our ability to employ a strategic force in the European theater whenever we’re called upon.

The Nebraska ANG have been state partners with the Czech Republic since 1993. Through the National Guard State Partnership Program, NATO is demonstrating a collective resolve, and, by doing so, is sending a powerful message that we are prepared and committed to peace and security for as long as it takes. SPP has 85 partnerships around the world to promote access, enhance military capabilities, improve interoperability, and enhance the principles of responsible governance.

The SPP and participation in Ample Strike highlights U.S. dedication to our security commitments with our NATO Alliance and global partners. We routinely operate across the globe and are flexible, agile and ready to respond to the changes in the operational environment.

For more information, please call +49 (0) 6371-47-6558 or e-mail usafepao.pao@us.af.mil. If after duty hours, please call +49 (0) 1624-25-5428 or e-mail usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.