Photo By Staff Sgt. Joshua Joseph Magbanua | Capt. Andrew Schloemer, 494th Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, gives a...... read more read more
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KONYA, Turkey—Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing deployed in support of Anatolian Eagle 2019, a Turkish-led multi-national exercise from June 17-28, 2019, at the Third Main Jet Base, Konya, Turkey.
Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, Anatolian Eagle is designed to create a realistic operational environment for aircrews to integrate and prepare for combat. After a two-year hiatus, this year’s iteration involves participation from the U.S., Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, Italy, Qatar, and NATO. Azerbaijan also joined the exercise as an observer country.
“This exercise is about readiness and relationships,” said Lt. Col. Jaina Donberg, 494th Fighter Squadron commander. “When we train together, we will be better prepared to respond to any crisis or contingency. By training together face-to-face and in the air, we’re building those lasting relationships, which will make us more effective in combat.”
Donberg stressed the importance of training with allies, saying the dynamic and ever-changing nature of armed conflict is pushing multiple nations to band closer together.
Each participating nation will showcase their aircraft, which includes the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16, F-4 Phantom, E-3 Sentry, E-7 Wedgetail, C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster. There are also foreign-built planes such as the JF-17 Thunder and AMX ground attack aircraft. Some of the techniques demonstrated during Anatolian Eagle are suppression of enemy air defense systems, offensive counter air, targeting high-value air assets and dissimilar air combat training.
“This is a unique opportunity to train in a forward operating location in Turkey, as well as integrate from mission planning, briefing, execution and debrief with our partner and allied nations,” said Donberg.
Throughout the course of this training event, participants aim to not just improve aerial warfare tactics, but to exchange information and bolster international partnerships.
“I love meeting all of our international partners,” said Maj. Allison Mandas, 494th FS weapons systems officer, who believes the lessons learned will build upon the strategic objectives of U.S. and allied forces. “It’s fun working with them. I’ve learned that although we’re from different countries, we’re all pretty much the same as fighter pilots and aircrew. We share more things in common than differences.”
“We never go to war alone,” Mandas added. “Exercises such as this provide an opportunity to share lessons learned, tactics and techniques so that we all have a shared operating picture for when we do go to war.”
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2019 05:16 |
| Story ID: | 328442 |
| Location: | KONYA, TR |
| Web Views: | 457 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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