480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron participates in Aviation Rotation 19-2
By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder, 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
/ Published June 12, 2019
KRZESINY AIR BASE, Poland -- Airmen assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, deployed as one unit under the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Krzesiny Air Base, Poland.
The 480th EFS is participating in a series of bilateral training exercises with local forces for Aviation Rotation 19-2. Aviation Rotation supports Operation Atlantic Resolve by demonstrating the United States’ commitment and resolve to NATO allies as they work together on regional security and deterring potential adversaries.
“We are out here to demonstrate our interoperability with our NATO allies while also demonstrating our readiness, being able to expeditiously pack up and start full scale flying operations in a foreign location,” said Lt. Col. Michael Richard, 480th EFS commander.
During the rotation, the U.S. Air Force and Polish air forces are conducting training focused on maintaining joint readiness while building interoperability, and strengthening threat response capabilities.
“One of our primary objective during this rotation is to demonstrate our ability to perform offensive counter-air and suppression of enemy air defenses,” said Richard. “A key part of that is the EC-130H, which plays a significant role in the suppression of enemy forces.”
During this rotation an EC-130H Compass Call from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, will provide additional training opportunities for the 480th EFS and Polish air force.
“Our aircraft is designed to jam communications and radars, degrading adversaries so that the F-16s that we are training with here can accomplish their mission much more effectively,” said Lt. Col. Will Gery, 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron director of operations. “This is the first time the EC-130H Compass Call has been in Poland and we really appreciate the hospitality of the Polish air force, along with the support from the 52nd Fighter Wing and Det. 1 for inviting us to this exercise.”
The U.S. has participated in aviation rotations in Poland since 2012 to increase cooperation between the two air forces with the aim of strengthening joint capabilities as NATO allies through regular training exercises.