News>U.S., Hungary join forces for Load Diffuser Exercise
Photos
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- Master Sgt. Charles Morris, a firefighter from U.S. Air Forces in Europe Readiness Division at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, trains Hungarian air force firefighters how to work safely with the F-16 Fighting Falcon during the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010 in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 27, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- Hungarian air force servicemembers and 178th Fighter Wing Airmen attend an opening ceremony for the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010 in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 26, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- Staff Sgt. Brad Rowley, a 178th Fighter Wing crew chief, shows a Hungarian air force aircraft maintainer the nose landing gear on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the Load Diffuser Exercise in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 26, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- Hungarian air force Staff Sgt. Froelyi Sandor, an aircraft maintainer, shows Maj. Keith Buddelmeyer, an F-16 instructor pilot with the 178th Fighter Wing, the safety features on a Hungarian air force MiG-29 Fulcrum before an incentive flight during the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010 in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 28, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- A Hungarian air force aircraft maintainer and Staff Sgt. Darren Bond, a 178th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief, explore the differences of the Hungarian air force JAS- 39 Gripen during the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010 in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 29, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- Maj. Brian Gyovai, an F-16 pilot with the 178th Fighter Wing, receives training from Staff Sgt. George Abraham, a Hungarian air force life support technician, before an incentive flight in a Hungarian air force JAS-39 Gripen during the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010 in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 26, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- Staff Sgt. Steve Smith, a 178th Fighter Wing crew chief, shows a Hungarian air force aircraft maintainer the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon and explains safety procedures during the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010 in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 27, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- Staff Sgt. Ryan Barlau, a 178th Fighter Wing crew chief, and a Hungarian air force aircraft maintainer carry an F-16 Fighting Falcon travel pod to the holding area during the Load Diffuser Exercise in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 27, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
KECSKEMET, Hungary -- A 178th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon and a Hungarian air force JAS- 39 Gripen during the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010 in Kecskemet, Hungary, April 29, 2010. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces by conducting a 10- to 15-day flying program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock)
by Staff Sgt. Tina Maddock
Ohio Air National Guard Public Affairs
4/30/2010 - KECSKEMET, Hungary -- U.S. Air Forces in Europe and the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Fighter Wing have partnered to support the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010 here April 26-May 7.
The LD2010 is a joint exercise with the Hungarian Joint Force Command. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities of the participating forces.
U.S. Air Force pilots and Hungarian air force pilots are training together in air-to-air combat scenarios, using the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, Hungarian air force JAS-39 Gripen, MiG-29 Fulcrum and the Mi-24 Hind aircraft.
"It is one of the few training opportunities they (the Hungarian air force) have to fly against a larger formation," said Lt. Col. Nathan Thomas, the LD2010 project officer. "It is to help improve their skills and a way to improve ours."
The U.S. Air Force and Hungarian air force pilots are working with the Hungarian joint terminal air controllers to direct aircraft against simulated ground targets, said Colonel Thomas. The Hungarian JTACs were trained in the United States.
Colonel Thomas said the Hungarian Mi-24 helicopters are working with the U.S. Air Force and Hungarian air force to conduct ground-base air defense exercises.
In addition to practicing air combat maneuvers against the F-16, Hungarian air force servicemembers are training to work with the F-16. Airmen from USAFE and the 178th FW are educating aircraft maintainers and firefighters from the Hungarian air force on operating an F-16.
The Hungarian air force welcomed USAFE and the 178th FW with an opening ceremony April 26. Both U.S. Air Force and Hungarian air force servicemembers attended the ceremony, which kicked off the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010.
