90th EFS conducts ACE exercise with NATO Allies

Photo By Staff Sgt. Danielle Sukhlall | U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron board a C-130 to return to Poland from Ørland Main Air Station, Norway, Sept. 19, 2022. The 90 EFS forward deployed to Norway to conduct an arctic agile combat employment (ACE) exercise with the Royal Norwegian Air Force and NATO Allies and partners. The joint training and integration provided in this ACE exercise improves the resilience and survivability of coalition airpower. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sergeant Danielle Sukhlall)  

ØRLAND, NORWAY

09.12.2022

Story by Staff Sgt. Danielle Sukhlall 

U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa   

ØRLAND MAIN AIR STATION, Norway – The 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron forward deployed to Ørland Main Air Station, Norway to conduct an agile combat employment (ACE) arctic integration training exercise with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, joint forces and NATO Allies and partners, Sept. 12 through Sept. 16, 2022.

The 90th EFS forward deployed to Łask Air Base, Poland in early August in support of NATO’s Air Shielding mission. Although the 90th has been in Europe training and integrating with NATO Allies and partners for weeks, this exercise marked the first time the 90th trained alongside other fifth generation aircraft in Europe.

“It’s important to demonstrate that we can employ airpower in a contested environment alongside Allied forces,” Lt. Col. Michael “Popeye” Kendall, 90th EFS commander explained. “The more we integrate with our Allies and partners, whether that be in the Pacific or European theater, the more resilient and survivable we become as a coalition airpower.”

The NATO arctic integration training provided a controlled environment with a larger air space for the 90th EFS to effectively improve readiness and joint integration with NATO Allies and partners. The forward deployment also provided vital training on fifth generation integration and enhanced ACE concepts in a joint training environment.

“This type of joint and integrated training is one of the most important things we do,” says Col. Martin “TinTin” Tesli, 132nd Luftving Base commander. It enables us to respond quickly and operate together across the weapons platforms and systems. The sum is that together, we can better defend not only Norway and the Nordic countries, but also Europe should the need arise.”

The Royal Norwegian Air Force 132nd Wing hosted the exercise at Ørland Main Air Station.

“The welcome and support here has been phenomenal,” Kendall says. “Even though we came out here to practice ACE, it doesn't feel like ACE because of the amount of support we've gotten - we had everything we needed.”

During the exercise, the 90th EFS participated in Viking Belt, a large-scale NATO Large Flying Exercise (LFE) with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, Bomber Task Force (BTF) U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses, the Turkish Air Force, and U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

“During Viking Belt, integration with the BTF just added more complexity and more variables which ultimately allows us to train to a higher rate fight and get better at what we're doing,” said Kendall.

LFEs increase lethality and enhance interoperability, allowing coalition forces to counter military aggression and coercion by sharing responsibilities for common defense.

“It's very important for us to be able to work with others in every conflict that we've been in,” Tesli explains. “We've been totally dependent on working together with others to make sure that we pool our resources to get the full effect out of everything that is available within partnership and the NATO alliance. So we need to train and practice that, and that's what we're doing here.”

During their time in Norway, the 90th EFS was also able to integrate with the Finnish Air Force as the U.S. has shared enduring partnerships and friendships with Finland for decades. The U.S. does not fight or deter alone. Strategic partnerships along with the NATO Alliance are key to deterring emerging threats in any region.

The opportunity to enhance capabilities with the Royal Norwegian Air Force and other Allies and partners in a new airspace has allowed the 90th EFS to become an even more effective deterrent on NATO’s eastern flank while supporting Air Shielding.

“Training here in Norway allows us to adapt to another unique environment, and ultimately provide a more credible, effective deterrent in the European theater,” Kendall says.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2022
• Date Posted: 09.29.2022 05:08
• Story ID: 430329
• Location: ØRLAND, NO