Eagles complete deployment to Bulgaria

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hailey Haux
  • USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs
PLOVDIV, Bulgaria --  It takes a network of Airmen from across the Air Force to get missions flying every day. Thracian Eagle 2014 was no exception.

With more than 180 personnel from across U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, the flying training deployment to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, was successful at familiarizing Airmen on how to get operations going, away from their home station.

"Times like these are what we train for," said Senior Airman Najee Jarrett, 493rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief. "To know what different types of carts and components to take with us, such as Colemans and fuel trucks. It's all about knowing what exactly we are going to need to complete daily operations."

The FTD to Bulgaria wasn't just about knowing what to bring for operations away from home, it was about the bilateral training, building relationships with the Bulgarians and improving the interoperability between NATO allies.

"It makes us better pilots. It makes us better fighters. It makes us better warriors," said Bulgarian Col. Yuri Lukanov, Flight Operations flight commander. "It builds a trust between our two nations and our two Air Forces and in the end it makes us stronger to face the challenges of today."

Airmen from Royal Air Force, Lakenheath, England and Ramstein Air Base, Germany hit the ground running since day one. Over the two weeks they supported more than 240 flying hours, approximately 100 bilateral flying missions, 180 sorties total including seven pilots who completed their upgrade training.

"For me, it's a very surreal experience to be in Bulgaria, it's an outstanding place and they have been incredibly gracious hosts," said Lt. Col. John Stratton, 493rd Fighter Squadron commander. "Our guys have been on point this whole time and continue to surprise me with their amazing work. From flying with Bulgarian MiGs and training with our Bulgarian counterparts, to visiting a retirement home in Plovdiv, our Airmen made a positive and lasting impact throughout this deployment. These are great Americans doing great things through their service and sacrifice."