F-16s depart for Romanian-US exercise

by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/13/2015 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Airmen and aircraft assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron departed Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, March 13 to participate in Dacian Warhawk 2015, a bilateral flying training deployment with the Romanian air force.

The exercise will take place at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16-27 and aims to strengthen interoperability between the U.S. and Romanian air forces while enhancing their readiness to conduct combined air operations.

Approximately 100 Airmen and six F-16s from the 52nd Fighter Wing will participate in the training alongside the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, which will exercise a full spectrum of capabilities to support the 480th FS's air operations.

"Participation in Dacian Warhawk 2015 is another outstanding training opportunity for the 480th Fighter Squadron," said Lt. Col. John Gallemore, 480th FS director of operations. "It affords the Warhawks the ability to train along-side our Romanian NATO partners and represent the pride, precision and professionalism of U.S. combat air forces in Europe."

The deployment will also build upon the U.S. Air Force's "Forward-Ready-Now!" presence in Europe by working with allies to develop and improve ready air forces capable of maintaining regional security.