Ramstein trains in Romania

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  • By Capt Erin Dorrance
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Night vision goggles, low-level formation flights and air drops were all training objectives accomplished during the 86th Airlift Wing's Carpathian Summer '07 exercise.

Approximately 130 Airmen from the 86th Contingency Response Group, 86th Maintenance Group, 86th Operations Group, 86th Air and Space Communications Group, 435th Civil Engineer Group and 435th Logistic Readiness Group participated in the exercise with two C-130Es and several C-21 aircraft at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, July 16 to 25.

"Our goal was to train in a different geographical environment, as well as to enhance the interoperability between us and the Romanian Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Rich Johnston, KMC and 86th Airlift Wing commander. "We have worked with Romania's Air Force in the past and we look forward to future opportunities.

The exercise gave crewmembers diverse training which is crucial for the Airmen to maintain the highest proficiency level possible, said Lt. Col. Dave Barnes, Carpathian Summer '07 mission commander and 86th AW chief of safety.

The training is not only beneficial to crewmembers and ground support Airmen in order to hone their skills for on-going deployments, but it also helps to reduce local training flights and their noise impact on German communities, said General Johnston.

The training exercise was a huge success and would not have been possible without the Open-the-Base capability provided by the 86th CRG, said Colonel Barnes. This training opportunity provides each Airman important training in their specific career field, allowing them to remain proficient and ready to deploy.