U.S. Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft and Airmen assigned to the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln Air National Guard Base, Nebraska, arrived at Pardubice Airport, Czech Republic, to provide air-refueling during Ample Strike 21. Ample Strike is a Czech Republic-led, multi-national live exercise taking place at various locations in the Czech Republic, from Sept. 6-18, 2021.
In addition to the KC-135 aircraft, U.S. Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper aircraft and Airmen assigned to the 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston, Texas, will provide simulated close air support and air land integration for U.S. and ally Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, out of Námět nad Oslavou Airport, Czech Republic. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to RAF Lakenheath, England will also participate from home station.
Airmen assigned to the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the 147th ATKW and the 321st Special Tactics Squadron, stationed with the 352d Special Operations Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, will provide JTAC support, and Airmen assigned to the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany, will provide communications support during the exercise.
The aim of AMSE 21 is to provide full spectrum, realistic training in both live and virtual environments to provide a measurable increase in proficiency, standardization and interoperability across NATO allies and partners.
“Our NATO allies and partners are vital to ensuring a stable and secure Europe,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa commander. “Ample Strike offers our total force Airmen an excellent opportunity to train side-by-side with our Czech allies, demonstrating our commitment to collective defense in a very powerful way.”
Following participation in Ample Strike, a KC-135 will participate as a static display during NATO Days from Sept. 18-19, 2021, and provide a flyover during NATO Days at the Airport in Ostrava Mošnov, Czech Republic. In addition, a U.S. Air Force CV-22B Osprey, assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, will also participate as a static. The air show is scheduled to showcase heavy military hardware, police and rescue equipment, dynamic displays of special forces training, flying displays, and presentations of armaments, equipment, and gear of individual units.
For more information, contact USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs as +49 06371-47-6558 or email usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.