PLOVDIV, Bulgaria -- After two weeks of training with the Bulgarian air force, Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing redeployed home to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 27.
More than 60 Airmen including loadmasters, aerial porters, medics and air ground equipment experts loaded two C-130J Super Hercules headed to Bulgaria Oct. 18.
During the course of the training, the team participated in 30 building partnership capacity events from participating in mentorship seminars, refurbishing a local school and dining at a local restaurant where the team was able to learn about the vast history of the region. All in all, the event was capped off with the accomplishment of some serious training.
Jump masters from the 435th Contingency Response Group, in addition to meeting their own training requirements, were able to train and lead more than 1,000 Bulgarian paratroopers to successful landings from U. S. Air Force in Europe's newest tactical aircraft.
"This has been great," said Tech. Sgt. Kurtis Musson, 435th Security Forces Squadron plans and training noncommissioned officer in charge and part of the 435th CRG.
Training in Bulgaria also offered 37th Airlift Squadron pilots the opportunity to fly routes and hours not allowed in Germany from noise restrictions.
"Being able to use their airspace we have greater flexibility then we do at homestation," said Capt. Jeff Davis, 37th AS C-130J pilot. "There is less traffic allowing us to fly simulated combat missions."
In addition, these training flights allowed Bulgarian Air Force pilots the opportunity to sit in the cockpit and observe how U.S. Air Force pilots not only prepare, but conduct more than 100 flying hours worth of missions similar to those performed everyday in overseas contingency operations.
"We are hoping by them being able to observe how we conduct our operations they will use this to enhance their own ability, from paratrooper operations to flying and one day be able to conduct exercises and even assist in future conflicts," said Captain Davis.
Although in April, when planning for Thracian Fall began, the event was primarily conceived as a training opportunity, it allowed Air Force expertise the chance to excel.
During the course of the two-week exercise 25 maintainers from the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron were busy conducting dropped object prevention program inspections, service inspections and routine maintenance to keep the two aircraft operational ready to complete the busy schedule of eight flights each per day.
"We changed two landing gear tires, a spacer, an anti-collision light assembly and corrected an anti-ice malfunction," said Master Sgt. Jason Jack, 86th AMXS crew chief. "We faced some challenges, such as waiting on parts and we have worked hard, but we have a great group here and have enjoyed our time."
In the end, Thracian Fall did much more than set milestones as far as sheer numbers of flights and jumps, it also allowed Airmen from both nations to achieve a much higher goal of sharing experiences and paving new ways to complete the mission while working together.
"We're teaching each other, we are jumping from each other's chutes... It is a brotherhood in the airborne community and the military, no matter what nation you are from," said Sergeant Musson.