The Russian invasion of Ukraine is steadily approaching it’s third month. And airmen from Aviano Air Base in Italy are making ready to take over for Air Pressure fighter jets from Spangdahlem Air Base at present serving because the U.S. contingent in NATO air policing efforts in Romania.
Six F-16 Combating Falcons from the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived at Fetesti Air Base on April 29 to interchange members of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron who initially answered NATO’s name for air policing in February.
“The continued presence of U.S. F-16s within the south-east area ensures vital functionality for the Air Policing mission and strengthens NATO’s collective readiness.” Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Pressure in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander, mentioned in a current press launch.
“Our skill to function shoulder-to-shoulder with our regional Allies bolsters our collective protection and interoperability throughout the Jap flank.”
The U.S. navy has deployed a myriad of plane since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 — together with dozens of AH-64 Apache helicopters and F-35A Lightning II and F-15 Eagle fighter jets — to NATO-supported bases in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.
Airmen with the 480th EFS first arrived at Fetesti Air Base as a part of a three-month rotational deployment to assist NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission within the Black Sea area, working alongside allies from Romania, Italy and the UK.
U.S. troops from the 510th EFS will even be working alongside Italian Typhoons which have been flying within the area in since December.
Rachel is a Marine Corps veteran, Penn State alumna and Grasp’s candidate at New York College for Enterprise and Financial Reporting.
