AMARI AIR BASE, Estonia --
The 106th Rescue Wing from F.S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, New York, deployed June 8 through 25 to Amari Air Base to take part in Saber Strike 16.
Saber Strike is a multinational exercise meant to increase the interoperability of NATO allies and complete tactical training objectives while integrating force enablers.
“It was great for our wing to participate in Saber Strike 16,” said Col. Nicholas Broccoli, 106th RQW vice commander. “I was impressed with the professionalism and hospitality of the Estonian air force and the critical support they provided when called upon. Our members were able to take advantage of opportunities to train with them as a flexible force, building upon trusted relationships that will increase our level of interoperability in the future.”
The 106th's role was to perform rescue simulations utilizing the HC-130 King, HH-60 Pave Hawk, combat rescue officers and pararescuemen as well as integrating A-10 Thunderbolt II fighters into the rescue scenarios, all while working hand-in-hand with the Estonian air force.
The Estonians provided a variety of support, such as towing aircraft where they needed to be on the flight line using a unique tow bar and facilitating a jump from a 1959 AN2 aircraft giving our rescue team members more exposure to being flexible in conditions where we would need to work with allied nation in order to hone their skills to complete the mission in any environment.
“It was a new experience for me,” said Maj. Glyn Weir, 103rd Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer, who has more than 400 jumps. “The plane was kind of slow, like a helicopter, but very stable for a 1959 aircraft. The weather was amazing and the view was incredible over Estonia and out over the Gulf of Finland.”
The 106th RQW’s portion of the exercise was an overall success, Broccoli said, and highlighted the capabilities the Air National Guard, and specifically the 106th, bring to the table.
“In the end, we improved interoperability, built relationships and accomplished our tactical objectives” Weir said.