606th Air Control Squadron provide briefings and interactive opportunites to visiting German controllers

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – 1st Lt. Julia Sauter, German air force weapons controller, listens to communications between the 606th Air Control Squadron and pilots during a training mission Jan. 31. Lieutenant Sauter and seven other German air force members visited the 606th ACS for briefings and interactive opportunities as they train to become combat-ready aircraft controllers at the Tactical Air Command and Control Training Section in Meßstetten, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks)

606th Air Control Squadron provide briefings and interactive opportunites to visiting German controllers

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Tech. Sgt. Jorel Justus, 606th Air Control Squadron weapons director, talks with 1st Lt. Romy Heinze, German air force weapons controller, about the equipment systems the 606th Air Control Squadron uses to communicate with pilots Jan. 31. Lieutenant Heinze and seven other German air force members visited the 606th ACS for briefings and interactive opportunities as they train to become combat ready aircraft controllers at the Tactical Air Command and Control Training Section in Meßstetten, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks)

606th Air Control Squadron provide briefings and interactive opportunites to visiting German controllers

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Maj. Shaun Bellamy, 52nd Fighter Wing executive officer, talks with German air force weapons controllers about the F-16 Fighting Falcon and how he communicates with 606th Air Control Squadron weapons directors during flights. Eight German air force members visited the 606th ACS for briefings and interactive opportunities as they train to become combat ready aircraft controllers at the Tactical Air Command and Control Training Section in Meßstetten, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks)

Weapons controllers share knowledge with German counterparts

Published Feb. 2, 2011
By Senior Airman Timothy Moynihan

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Effective communication and teamwork are an essential part of any long-term relationship. The relationship between Spangdahlem Air Base and its host country, Germany, is no different. Cultural exchange and international team building are a part of daily life in the Eifel region.

Eight German officers from the 9th Advanced Air Mission Control Course in Meßstetten, Germany, visited Spangdahlem Air Base as part of their training program to gain insight into Spangdahlem operations.

Led by various subject-matter experts from the 606th Air Control Squadron, the 81st Fighter Squadron and the 480th Fighter Squadron, the students were presented with an array of briefings and hands-on tours of various weapons systems and facilities.

The day-long, information-filled trip started at the 606th ACS with in-depth briefs ranging from Control and Reporting Center employment to Air Force weapons control standards and techniques. Additionally, they were presented with comprehensive A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon capabilities and limitations briefs delivered by experts from the 81st FS and 606th ACS.

To interact on a more personal level with their U.S. Air Force counterparts, the German weapons controllers were treated to a Club Eifel lunch where they compared training experiences and swapped stories.

Following lunch, the officers from the 9th AAMCC were given a tour of the various 606th ACS buildings and components, observing the "wing inside a wing" organization of the unit. They were able to view the AN/TPS-75 air defense radar and were allowed to witness a simulated mission controlled by the 606th ACS. The 9th AAMCC members then received a tour of the 81st FS and the A-10.

Following the tours, pilots from the 81st FS and the 480th FS showcased static displays of the A-10 and F-16, as well as operated Spangdahlem's A-10 flight simulator. There, they the German officers received a better understanding of the complexities 52nd Fighter Wing pilots deal with everyday as they train to defend freedom.

The day was intended to foster an environment of teamwork in the spirit of enhancing host-nation relations. Participants in the tour, both German and American, received a better understanding of their counterparts' operations and capabilities.

(Capt. Thomas Avant and Airman 1st Class Janet Muro, both from the 606th ACS, contributed to this article.)