Seven F-16 Fighting Falcons from 510th Fighter Squadron and approximately 150 support personnel from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived at the U.S. Air Force Aviation Detachment here, Sept. 4 and 5.
Service members from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and the Polish air force will conduct joint training over the next several weeks, upholding long-standing commitments to allies and ongoing efforts to increase interoperability of NATO forces.
"Our main goal here is to increase our partnership with our Polish allies," said Maj. Freddie Helton, 510th Fighter Squadron Detachment commander. "Our continued training with the Polish air force allows us to enhance our tactics and increases interoperability if needed for a real-world event."
The opportunity to train with NATO allies not only gives units the ability to employ fighter aircraft and pilots, but also provides training for aircrews and support personnel in a forward location.
The Aviation Detachment in Poland, activated November 2012, makes it possible for U.S. Air Force aircraft and personnel to participate in joint training exercises and host a regular rotation of aircraft.
"The continued training here helps the Airmen of the 510th Fighter Squadron stay forward, ready, now and strengthen our relationship with the men and women of the Polish air force," said Helton.
As part of the rotation at the AvDet, the 31st Fighter Wing will support the NATO close air support exercise Ample Strike. The exercise, hosted by the Czech Republic, will allow the 510th and USAFE to work with a planned 11 nations. The purpose of the exercise is to test the ability for close air support and evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase military relationships and NATO interoperability.
"Poland is a key ally in Central Europe, and has been one of the United States' strongest supporters," said Helton "Exercises like Ample Strike and the continued rotations here, allow us and our NATO allies to develop the tactics and relationships needed to enforce NATO priorities in Europe."
9/5/2014 - LASK AIR BASE, Poland
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Seven F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 510th Fighter Squadron sit on the ramp at Lask Air Base Poland, Sept. 5, 2014. The F-16’s and approximately 150 support personnel from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived at the U.S. Air Force Aviation Detachment to participate in bilateral training with Poland. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 510th Fighter Squadron takes off for Poland, Sept. 5, 2014 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 31st Fighter Wing will be participating in a joint training exercise, Ample Strike, to expand upon ongoing efforts to build partnerships and interoperability in Europe. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Jessica Hines)
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An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 510th Fighter Squadron takes off for Poland, Sept. 5, 2014 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 31st Fighter Wing will be participating in a joint training exercise, Ample Strike, to expand upon ongoing efforts to build partnerships and interoperability in Europe. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Jessica Hines)
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Senior Airman Courtenay Spiritus, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief, fills an oxygen tank of an F-16 Fighting Falcon Sept. 8, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland. The seven F-16s and approximately 150 support personnel from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, are supporting the NATO close air support exercise, Ample Strike. The exercise allows the 510th FS to work with a planned 11 nations to increase military relationships and NATO interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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Senior Airman Joseph Archuleta, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, and Staff Sgt. Joshua Rivera, 31st AMXS dedicated crew chief, prepare an F-16 Fighting Falcon for a second go Sept. 8, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland. The seven F-16s and approximately 150 support personnel from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, are supporting the NATO close air support exercise, Ample Strike. The exercise allows the 510th to work with a planned 11 nations to increase military relationships and NATO interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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Senior Airman Joseph Archuleta, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, changes a light bulb on an F-16 Fighting Falcon before the second go Sept. 8, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland. The seven F-16s and approximately 150 support personnel from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, are supporting the NATO close air support exercise, Ample Strike. The exercise allows the 510th to work with a planned 11 nations to increase military relationships and NATO interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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Senior Airman Kailin Rime, 31st Maintenance Group squadron lead crew member, arms a triple-ejector rack on an F-16 Fighting Falcon, Sept. 10, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland. The F-16s from Aviano AB, Italy, are supporting the NATO exercise Ample Strike. A Czech Republic led exercise; Ample Strike will test the ability for close-air support and evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities while increasing military relationships and NATO interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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Staff Sgt. Joseph Hauser, 31st Maintenance Group squadron lead crew chief, inspects training munitions on an F-16 Fighting Falcon, Sept. 10, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland. The F-16s from Aviano AB, Italy, are supporting the NATO exercise Ample Strike. A Czech Republic led exercise; Ample Strike will test the ability for close-air support and evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities while increasing military relationships and NATO interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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Airman 1st Class Travis Lozano, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, inspects an F-16 Fighting Falcon before takeoff, Sept. 10, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland. F-16s from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB, Italy, are supporting the Czech Republic led NATO exercise, Ample Strike, designed to test and evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities, while increasing military relationships and NATO interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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Captain Mathew Robbins, 510th Fighter Squadron pilot, completes final checks before takeoff, Sept. 10, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland. F-16s from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB, Italy, are supporting the Czech Republic led exercise, Ample Strike, designed to test and evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities, while increasing military relationships and NATO interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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Two F-16 Fight Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano, Italy, prepare for takeoff Sept. 10, 2014, at Lask Air Base, Poland. The F-16s are here supporting the NATO exercise Ample Strike. Ample Strike, a Czech led exercise, will test the ability for close air support and evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase military relationships and NATO interoperability. The exercise will allow the 510th and USAFE to work with a planned 11 nations. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner)
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Staff Sgt. Joshau Morgan, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief, marshals Capt. Connor Flynt, 510th Fighter Squadron, pilot to a parking spot after arriving at Lask Air Base Poland, Sept. 5, 2014. Seven F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 510th Fighter Squadron and approximately 150 support personnel from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived at the U.S. Air Force Aviation Detachment to participate in bilateral training with Poland. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner
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