U.S., Bulgarian air forces partner for training

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jillian Torango
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
GRAF IGNATIEVO AIR FORCE BASE, Bulgaria --  An F-16 Fighting Falcon and a MiG 29 trying to outmaneuver each other in the skies above Eastern Europe was the stuff of legends until this month's combined training exercise between the 480th Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and the 1st and 2nd fighter squadrons from the Bulgarian air force here.

The 480th FS is spending three weeks training alongside members of the Bulgarian air force in Operation Thracian Star, a weapons training deployment used to help pilots maintain proficiency in some basic flying qualifications.

"Much of Central Europe has restricted their air space to low altitude and other types of flying so being able to come here and do this training in Bulgaria is invaluable," said Lt. Col. Andrew Wolcott, 480th FS commander. "Here we are able to do flying maneuvers and drills in a low altitude environment and very quickly regain our pilots' low altitude proficiency."

The U.S. pilots are also regaining or retaining proficiency in basic and advanced weapons delivery, basic fighter maneuvers, tactical intercepts, defensive and offensive counter-air, destruction and suppression of enemy air defenses, large force engagement and close air support.

While flying is the main focus, Spangdahlem's pilots aren't the only ones learning during this training deployment.

"Everyone participating in this exercise, from both the U.S. and Bulgarian air forces is getting training," said Colonel Wolcott. "We are completely integrated here to maximize the training and learning opportunities on both sides."

On average each pilot will fly three to five sorties per week and with 35 pilots taking part in the exercise the entire operations support team is working to make each sortie happen.

According to Capt. Regina Eatman, 480th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge, it takes approximately 280 support and maintenance people on the ground to support the sixteen F-16 aircraft and make this combined training deployment happen.

"Our main mission is to provide good jets to our pilots and give them the capability to drop weapons and do the training they can't do back at home station," Captain Eatman said. "At the same time we're getting to work with the Bulgarian maintainers and show them how we work because they are in the process of building their organizational structure."

Because the Bulgarian air force is in the process of upgrading their aircraft and processes, their maintainers and pilots are keenly interested in how and why the U.S. Air Force does what it does on a daily basis.

"The biggest thing we are learning here is why we have a lot of the processes we have and why we have our definite lines of communication," Captain Eatman said. "It is easy to see how things can easily break down with their less structured process which essentially validates the processes we have in place to do what we do."

"Bulgarians are strong US allies and we are really fortunate to be able to come here and train and fly with them," said Colonel Wolcott. "This is the first operational deployment we've done since reactivating the 480th FS on July 13 and it is the first deployment for many of our Airmen and I can't think of a better place for it."