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

    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

  • Defenders: One team, one goal

    The crisp morning air was expected, but not the snow.Three squadrons milled about, stuffing weighted rucksacks to the brim and double checking that they would stay closed for what was about to come.Despite the wintry weather, everyone continued their preparations for the monthly 48th Security Forces

  • 493rd AMU: The gold standard at home, abroad

    They say maintenance is the backbone of the U.S. Air Force, and, if the 493rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit has anything to say about it, that's a true statement.The 493rd AMU's current mission is to keep the F-15C and D Eagles flying high during exercise Real Thaw, a Portuguese- led, large joint and

  • Bombers receive warm welcome for Cold Response

    B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana arrived in Europe Saturday, Feb. 27, in preparation for their participation in a large-scale NATO training exercise.This year's iteration of the biennial Cold Response NATO military training and exercise program will be held in the

  • Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

    Andrew Aves remembers visiting Royal Air Forces Lakenheath and Mildenhall when he was only five years old.His fascination with aircraft and airshows, from a young age, led to the position he is in now; supporting military training operations on his land in Hinderclay, England.Aves lives on a large

  • Firefighters share skills, knowledge with host nation partners

    The 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department hosted a National Incident Management System 300/400 course Feb. 16 through 19, 2016, on RAF Mildenhall, England.The training was intended for senior personnel who are directly involved in emergency management and response. This includes all

  • Ramstein Airmen help kick-off Real Thaw 16

    Approximately 60 Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, along with six Allied nations, helped kick off Exercise Real Thaw 16 with an opening ceremony in Beja, Portugal, Feb. 21.Real Thaw 16 is a Portuguese-hosted NATO exercise that provides tactical training to participating nations. Its aim is to