180th Fighter Wing Enhances Multinational Partnerships at Exercise Load Diffuser 17

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker | U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Joe Ray, a weapons loader assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, monitors a final preflight safety check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon, May 29, 2017, at Kecskemet Air Base in Hungary. Approximately 150 Airmen and eight F-16 fighter jets assigned to the 180FW traveled to the air base to participate in Load Diffuser 17, a two-week Hungarian-led multinational exercise focused on enhancing interoperability capabilities and skills among NATO allied and European partner air forces by conducting joint operations and air defenses to maintain joint readiness, while also bolstering relationships within the U.S. Air National Guard’s State Partnership Program initiatives. Ohio became state partners with Hungary in 1993. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker)  

KECSKEMET, HUNGARY

05.29.2017

Story by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker 

180th Fighter Wing Ohio National Guard

More than 200 Airmen assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing and 179th Airlift Wing are participating in a Hungarian-led, multinational exercise at Kecskemet Air Base in Hungary, May 22 through June 9, 2017.

More than 400 military members from six allied countries will be participating in the two-week Load Diffuser 17 exercise, including, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic and the United States.

With a focus on enhancing interoperability capabilities and skills among NATO Ally and European partner air forces, participants are conducting joint operations and air defenses to maintain joint readiness.

The Ohio National Guard joined forces with the Hungarian Air Force in support of the exercise as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, linking the unique capabilities of the National Guard with the armed forces of a partner country.

“The strong bonds between Hungary and the state of Ohio were forged as part of the original State Partnership Program back in 1993,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Barasch, commander of the 180FW’s 112th Fighter Squadron. “Our mutually beneficial security cooperation spans more than two decades and continues to foster strong, long-term relationships that will enhance future combined operations and improve interoperability while providing incredible training opportunities for our entire unit.”

Training exercises such as Load Diffuser are a great example of how we work side-by-side with our NATO Allies and partners every day, not only bolstering key relationships with the Air National Guard’s SPP, but also training to meet future security challenges as a unified force.

While Ohio’s partnership with Hungary began in 1993, Hungary officially joined NATO in 1999, further enhancing capabilities and readiness, and a stronger commitment to the collective defense and security of Europe.

Throughout the past 20 years, the National Guard’s SPP has built 79 partnerships with allied nations around the world.

• Date Taken: 05.29.2017
• Date Posted: 05.29.2017 08:43
• Story ID: 235618
• Location: KECSKEMET, HU