USAFE continues to build partnerships in Unified Engagement event

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chris Stone
  • USAFE Public Affairs
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA --  U.S. Air Forces in Europe joined representatives from seven countries in Bucharest, Romania May 5-9 to participate in a Building Partnership Seminar, part of the Unified
Engagement series--a transformation wargame designed to explore future joint warfighting concepts and capabilities.

The event, co-hosted by USAFE and the Romanian Air Force, is the second such Building Partnership Seminar held in Europe and follows on the heels of last year's highly successful event in Warsaw, Poland.

The main objective of the seminars is to establish connections between national air forces and officers that will be helpful in near-term and future cooperation.

"We conduct intellectual research and development with the attending coalition countries by exploring a futuristic apolitical scenario--for instance, a humanitarian disaster or terrorist situation--and working through how we would handle it as Airmen," said Lt. Col. Fred Shriner, wargaming lead. "Not as an airman from a particular country, but as an Airman as a whole working in a joint, coalition context."

The Romanian Air Force was proud to host this year's event as echoed by Romanian Colonel Mihai Radu, Chief of Tactical Evaluations. 

"This seminar for us is important because we intend to participate in the next operation with other nations' air forces and for this reason we must be prepared. We hope that at the end of this seminar in Bucharest, all participants will have more information regarding the future of Romania's Air Force."

Former PACAF Commander General (retired) Paul Hester served as senior mentor in the Romania Seminar, providing insight and strategic perspective to all participants and was extremely impressed with the success of the seminar.

"UE Building Partnership Seminars are focused on building trust and confidence between friends and allies who in moments of crisis must find solutions to grave problems," said General Hester. "Through that sense, the Romania Seminar has been an overwhelming success."

The event in Romania consisted of approximately 60 military leaders and support staff members from eight nations focused on objectives that maximize cooperation and coalition building.