RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany. -- Security leaders from eastern and western Libya visited Ramstein Air Base Aug. 3-7 as part of a collaborative effort to further promote regional stability in support of homeland defense.
The visit featured squadron tours and mission briefs designed to enhance interoperability, strengthen operational cooperation and reinforce the partnership between the United States and Libya.
“The purpose of the visit is to familiarize the Libyan delegation on the manning, support and training required to operate a C-130J fleet and high-tempo airfield,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Duane Jensen, 37th Airlift Squadron operations superintendent. “They were invited to tour different units and orient themselves with what is required to stand up the units required to operate the aircraft.”
The engagement also included a distinguished visitor flight to showcase the C-130J Super Hercules’ tactical airlift capabilities, allowing the senior leaders to see the mission in action and better understand how the 86th Airlift Wing ensures mission-ready support for rapid global mobility.
“We flew up around one of our local training routes to exhibit how we do low-level operations,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Andre Miller, 37th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot. “We wanted to show the entire process from start to finish from mission planning through the execution of the actual flight.”
The weeklong visit encapsulated the warrior ethos by cultivating mission readiness, encouraging shared experiences and reaffirming a steadfast commitment to excellence among the United States and its partner nations.
The engagement highlighted how mission success depends on the combined efforts of every Airman, from pilots and aircrew to maintainers and support personnel.
“Through this visit, we want to illustrate that aircraft, and qualifying aircrews are just a fraction of what is needed to operate at a high level,” Jensen said. “It takes highly qualified Airmen from various specialties working behind the scenes to get iron in the sky. Whether it’s aircrew flight equipment, maintenance crew chiefs or air traffic control, it is a total team effort to provide combat airlift.”