DVIDS – News – Nebraska State Partnership strengthened during Ample Strike Exercise

Airmen from the one hundred and fifty fifth Air Refueling Wing participated in Ample Strike Train and NATO Days in help of their State Partnership with the Czech Republic, Sept. 5-18, 2022, at Pardubice Navy Airport and Leos Janacek Ostrava Airport, Czech Republic.

Ample Strike is a Czech Republic-led, multi-national dwell train that provides Air and Land Integration coaching to Joint Terminal Assault Controllers in coordination with each fighter and bomber plane.

“The KC-135 plane is important in offering aerial refueling to the fighter and bomber plane to have extra flight-time within the train, as all the bottom controller groups obtain coaching in shut air help coordination,” stated Capt. Travis Carlson, 173rd Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot.

The one hundred and fifty fifth Air Refueling Wing has participated in Ample Strike since 2013. The KC-135 Stratotanker can refuel different plane within the air versus having to land to get their gasoline, which retains them up within the air longer. In the course of the train, the KC-135 was liable for refueling F-16 Preventing Falcons from the thirty first Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, and German Twister plane all through the train.

“I feel it’s nice constructing contacts with different European nations and having the ability to work collectively in the direction of a typical objective,” stated Capt. Taylor Ashmore,173rd Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Pilot. “It’s superior having the ability to meet different army members from completely different nations and notice what everyone does, realizing that we will work collectively.”

On the finish of the Ample Strike Train is the NATO Days in Ostrava, Czech Republic, which is a 2-day, regional public presentation of the Czech Military, Air Power, first responders and safety providers. Czech Republic and NATO Allies began the NATO Days idea 22 years in the past and it has developed into the most important safety present in Europe, with a view to construct connections between individuals, nations and the continent.

Close to one of many NATO Days entrance gates, featured a line of three U.S. Air Power Plane – C-5, B-52 and the KC-135, one among 4 completely different plane static shows at NATO Days. The Airshow demonstrations featured Swiss, Finnish, Belgium, French, Dutch, German and Czech Republic plane and helicopters. There have been additionally floor displays of tanks and varied safety personnel the place you might hear and really feel the increase of some fastidiously deliberate explosives.

“While you see us and everybody working collectively, and then you definately put it collectively within the airshow, the civilians are in a position to come out and see every little thing we do,” Carlson said. “It’s our probability to work together with the general public,”

Carlson stated, “NATO Days is a good way to indicate all of the completely different nations working collectively unified collectively, that we’re critical, we aren’t simply kidding round. We take this, the objective of defending each other, critically.”

Ashmore explains how the USA’ presence is supportive.

“I feel it’s good for us to have our United States presence over there after which having individuals get to know us, displaying that we wish to assist and we’re joyful and excited to be over there,” stated Ashmore. “Folks have been ready in lengthy strains simply to return see us.”

The Nebraska Nationwide Guard has been state companions with the Czech Republic since 1993. The State Partnership Program and participation in Ample Strike highlights the U.S. dedication to our safety commitments with NATO Alliance and international companions, which sends the message that they’re ready for and dedicated to peace and safety.