ÄMARI AIR BASE, Estonia-- Reservists and active-duty Airmen from the 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and Guardsmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, completed a flying training deployment to Ämari Air Base, Estonia, August 8.
The training, which included eight A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the Air Force Reserve Command and one KC-135 from the Air National Guard, focused on maintaining joint readiness while building interoperability capabilities and was in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the safety and security of the European region.
“We were able to fly 90 sorties and accomplish air to ground combat training with multiple nations,” said Maj. Lance Orr, 303rd Fighter Squadron pilot, operations project officer for Estonia FTD. “The Estonians have been very supportive and helped coordinate a more unique mission which was the highway landing.”
“It’s really important to familiarize the ground support personnel with U.S. aircraft,” said Lt. Col. Toomas Kuiv, Ämari Air Base acting commander about the FTD. “The greater value actually lies in personal contacts which have been developed during this deployment.”
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This FTD further developed the relationship the U.S. has built with Europe over the past 70 years and displayed the capabilities of the USAF and other ally forces.