U.S., Bulgarian exercise closes with DV visit

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Quinton T. Burris
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POLVDIV, Bulgaria --  The U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria and Bulgarian Minister of Defense visited Plovdiv Airport April 27 to witness firsthand the partnership building between U.S. and Bulgarian military forces during Operation Thracian Spring '10.

The bilateral training exercise brings U.S. and Bulgarian military forces together to build upon and strengthen the bonds currently shared between the two countries, while continuing to improve interoperability as Bulgaria continues to progress as a new partner nation in NATO.

James B. Warlick Jr., U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria, and Anu Anguelov, Bulgarian minister of defense, along with 13 NATO parliamentary members, spent the day speaking with Bulgarian defense forces, Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, toured a C-130J and observed a paratrooper jump demonstration.

"When we found out we would have the opportunity to brief the Bulgarian Minister of Defense and U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria on our operations here, it meant a lot," said Capt. Adam Wantuck, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J pilot. "It just goes to show that what we are doing here is important. We are truly building upon partnership and solidifying our future relationships."

Alongside the minister of defense and ambassador came 40 Bulgarian press members who covered all aspects of the visit, requiring a lot of behind the scenes efforts of both the U.S. and Bulgarian forces in a short time, but it went off without a hiccup.

Not only did Minister Anguelov and Ambassador Warlick appear to be impressed with the operations, but they also vowed their support for continued future joint training opportunities.

"We are building partnerships through our training. What we are doing here will ensure that we are prepared to continue conducting future joint operations in Kosovo, Kabul, Kandahar, Bosnia and other place we may jointly go," said Minister Anguelov. "Our troops are doing a wonderful job. They are cementing not only the partnership between Bulgaria and the United States, but also partnership with all NATO nations. I consider our continued joint exercise and operational training a necessity. I look forward to having a U.S. contingent here in Bulgaria in the near future."

Aircrew, maintenance, airfield management, aerial port, security forces, and logistics Airmen from the 86th AW and 435th AGOW have spent the past six days deployed to Plovdiv in support of Thracian Spring.