Spangdahlem Airmen train with Romanians in first-ever exercise

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Shannon Collins
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CONSTANTA, Romania (USAFENS) --  Approximately 160 Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base helped execute the first-ever Air Force fighter training mission in Constanta, Romania, July 18 - 31.

The two-week combined exercise, named ROMEX ’05, brought U.S. Army and Air Force members together with Ministry of National Defense Romania personnel, and offered the opportunity to anchor ties and improve alliance partnerships within NATO.

Nearly 1,500 U.S. and Bulgarian Soldiers trained in Romania’s Babadag Training Area while the 160 Airmen operated jets from Mihail Kogalniceanu Base an hour away.

“As part of the Secretary of Defense’s initiative to enhance the Department’s global posture, European-based forces are looking east for operational training opportunities,” said Col. Scott West, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander. “We’re conducting more training with our newest NATO partners located in the former Soviet Union. We want to prepare for operations together as a NATO team.”

As part of the training mission, A-10 pilots from the 81st Fighter Squadron, assigned to Spangdahlem AB, received a unique opportunity -- they got to fly against MiG-21s in Romanian territory; the first time Americans have ever done this.

“It was tough because they were kind of hard to see, but it was exciting,” said Capt. Brian Miller, 81st FS pilot, who flew in the first two-ship.

After the Air Force pilots flew against the MiGs, the pilots and commanders gathered as a team to debrief and watch each other’s 8mm tapes of the operation.

“I never thought I would see the day when I would be sitting in my debrief facility, watching an American put his videotape in our machine, and we were able to watch it,” said Air Flotilla General Victor Strimbeanu, 86th Air Base, Romanian air force. “We are starting to see cooperation and teamwork build.”

Colonel West said the combined and joint training has been successful.

“It’s been an outstanding, positive, cooperative relationship between U.S. forces and the Romanian military,” he said. “They are very professional, and I can’t say enough positive things about our ability to train here in Romania in a variety of different training scenarios.”

While the American pilots trained with their Romanian counterparts, Spangdahlem Air Base 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters trained civilian Romanian firefighters on scenarios they face when during ground or in-flight emergencies. And, at the Melina Range, Air Force terminal attack controllers worked with U.S. Army Soldiers along with a few Romanian military members, conducting training on their job of calling in and directing close air support of the aircraft.

For Master Sgt. Michael Smith, 52nd AMXS 81st AMU production superintendent, the two-week experience was a real eye-opener.

“As soon as we got off the plane and went to a briefing, the Romanian base commander said, ‘We’ve been waiting for you since 1945.’ It really struck home, all of the years of communism they endured,” he said.

“It was great to get that kind of reception.” Sergeant Smith continued. “For them to open their arms up and let us come into their country and do this is amazing. Hopefully, we’ll get to do more missions like these in the future.”