Photo By Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon | A Croatian pilot aboard a Mil Mi-17 helicopter communicates with his copilot during a...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo— Overlooking the hills of Ferizaj, the helicopters perch like sleeping birds on an unseasonably warm afternoon on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Feb. 28. They are waiting for the beginning of a mixed multi-ship operation conducted by the pilots of Multinational Battle Group-East’s Southern Command Post and their multinational partners from the Swiss and Croatian COY.
The mission involved flying in formation over Kosovo’s rolling patchwork of farmland then pausing, at a low hover, over Camp Vrelo and a runway at Pristina International Airport. The helicopters were then able to rotate positions within the formation, so the crew of each aircraft had a chance to experience different flight scenarios.
The mission stressed the importance of communication and adaptability among multinational partners and allowed the flight crews and their leaders to asses areas that may need improvement to facilitate interoperability and mission readiness.
There will always be a language barrier when conducting a mixed multi-ship operation, said Chief Warrent Officer 2 Timothy Beabout, a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter instructor pilot assigned to MNBG-East SCP, but the purpose of the mission never gets lost in translation.
Working together successfully with allied countries, as part of Kosovo Force, means that the overall mission is strengthened, which can only serve to continue to build a safe and secure environment within Kosovo.
“We met some new people who knew different tactics,” said Croatian 1st Lt. Franjo Mrksa. “You learn what they can do, show them things and exchange experiences.”
Additionally, said Beabout, working together with multinational “soldiers lets us see another side of how things are done…and builds a sense of awareness and overall aviation cohesion.”
By practicing formation flying together, the U.S. multinational crews are able to build familiarity and trust. This way, they are able to respond rapidly to any situation that arises to maintain safety and security within Kosovo.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2017 05:19 |
| Story ID: | 225783 |
| Location: | ZZ |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Southern Command Post Conducts Mixed Multi-ship Training Operations, by SSG Adeline Witherspoon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
