US flies, trains with NATO allies during Exercise EAGLE TALON

by 2nd Lt. Katrina Cheesman
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/12/2014 - LASK AIR BASE, Poland -- U.S. and NATO allies are flying and training together in the skies above Poland, June 9 to 13, during the Polish-led combined Exercise EAGLE TALON, which includes air assets from France, United Kingdom, the U.S. and Poland.

This is the first time the U.S. Air Force participated in EAGLE TALON, according to Maj. Matthew Spears, commander of the U.S. Aviation Detachment in Poland, and marks the largest deployment of U.S. Air Force equipment and personnel to Poland.

In addition to U.S. and Polish armed forces, various air assets participating in EAGLE TALON include NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft, British AWACS and French Mirage 2000s, according to Polish air force spokesperson Lt. Col. Artur Golawski.

This sort of training with NATO allies enhances understanding of each other's tactics and procedures for future allied operations, said Polish air force Lt. Col. Pawel Marcinkowski, 3rd Training Squadron commander, Lask Air Base, Poland.

"EAGLE TALON is the next exercise in line to enhance interoperability with each other and be ready to respond to NATO contingencies if needed," Marcinkowski said.

The exercise encompasses large-force formations providing air defense, which trains pilots to attack and defend targets with NATO allies. During the exercise, NATO wingmen are either on a blue or red team to simulate friendly and enemy aircraft.

"The exercise is an excellent opportunity to exchange experience with people who are more proficient with more combat hours," said Polish air force Lt. Lukasz Gradzinski, 6th Squadron training officer from 31st Tactical Air Base, Poznan AIr Base, Poland. "I think everyone is excited about this exercise...and we [Polish air Force] want to be better and more cooperative with our NATO allies."

The U.S. Aviation Detachment in Poland coordinated U.S. participation in EAGLE TALON during the Av-Det Rotation 14-3, marking it as the largest theater security cooperation event ever hosted by the U.S. Air Force Aviation Detachment in Poland, according to Av-Det officials.

"The Av-Det Rotation 14-3 that we had previously scheduled is enhanced by the participation in EAGLE TALON, which has been an objective of both the U.S. Air Force and the Polish air force since we stood up the Av-Det," Spears, a native of Pueblo, Colo., said. "It's demonstrating our capability to support multiple operations at the same time."

Av-Det Rotation 14-3 is the third planned aviation rotation this year, involving 18 U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the 480th Fighter Squadron and nearly 400 personnel from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

More than 300 of those Airmen will support the 18 F-16 fighter aircraft at Lask Air Base, and nearly 100 Airmen from the 606th Air Control Squadron will assist in controlling the skies above Poland from Powidz Air Base.

In addition to flying together, NATO allies train to coordinate and plan successful missions on the ground before the aircraft launch from multiple air bases and meet each other in the air.

The 606th Air Control Squadron from the 52nd FW will provide tactical control to aircraft flying in Poland from Powidz Air Base during Av-Det Rotation 14-3 and EAGLE TALON. The 606th ACS is a control and reporting center unit that provides air control to various aircraft flying in the same air space.

"It has been fantastic working with our strategic partners," Capt. Kevin Mendel, 606th ACS air surveillance officer from Las Vegas, Nev., said. "I think our NATO allies and the 606th ACS have gained a lot from this experience, and have benefited from developing our coordination and interaction together."

During EAGLE TALON, the U.S. will continue to work with Polish armed forces to refuel aircraft during the exercise. To enhance flying operations, U.S. forces will hot pit refuel aircraft, which refuels the aircraft while its engine is still on and shortens the flying window while increasing capability to fix aircraft in a timely manner.

This will be the first time this process has been executed in Poland.

"It's an amazing experience to support other countries during this exercise. It's a lot of work, long hours, but I am having a blast," said Staff Sgt. Ayla Shelton, 480th Aircraft Maintenance Unit dedicated maintenance scheduler, who coordinated U.S. weekly flying with the schedule of Polish fighter aircraft during the exercise. "It's fulfilling to know we are able to train and exercise with our allies, and that it will make future NATO operations even better."