Aviano Airmen, F-16s arrive for Exercise Cold Response 16

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
BODØ MAIN AIR STATION, Norway --  Six F-16 Fighting Falcons and approximately 150 Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived in Norway recently to participate in Exercise Cold Response 16, which kicked off Feb. 29, 2016.

"This is the first time the exercise has included an air operations piece," said Capt. William Flynt, 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot and exercise project officer. "It's also the 31st Fighter Wing's first time participating."

NATO allies and partners from 12 nations, including Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Latvia, Norway and the United States, are taking part in the exercise which features maritime, land, and air operations to underscore NATO's ability to defend against any threat in any environment.

"This exercise affords us the opportunity to integrate, coordinate and operate with our NATO allies," said Col. Craig Hollis, 31st Operations Group commander. "Everything we do during this exercise is aimed at increasing our skills and combat capability."

The exercise provides participants a unique, extreme cold-weather environment for all forces involved to develop tactics, techniques and procedures and to learn from one another.

"It's about practicing as a team and perfecting our ability to deploy our jets to a new environment," said Lt. Col. Byron Pompa, 555th FS commander. "It's also about integrating with our NATO allies and building partnerships and relationships for future combat operations."

Aviano Airmen will partner with their Norwegian and other NATO counterparts to strengthen these partnerships and relationships and to share best practices during the exercise. 

In addition to the 31st Fighter Wing, Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, UK; and 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla, will participate in the exercise.