USAFE, Romanian Airmen kick off Dacian Warhawk

by Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/18/2015 - CAMPIA TURZII, Romania  -- More than 100 personnel and six F-16 Fighting Falcons landed at Campia Turzii, Romania, to kick off a bilateral Romanian and U.S. Air Force training event March 10 to 27.

Exercise Dacian Warhawk featured U.S. and Romanian Airmen working side-by-side to establish a base and conduct both ground and air operations with NATO partners.

"It's been a great experience to work alongside the 52nd Fighter Wing to strengthen our alliance with the Romanian air force," said Col. Steven Edwards, 435th Contingency Response Group commander. "I'm extremely proud of all the 435th AGOW Airmen helping to make this exercise a success--from the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controllers supporting operations on Cincu Range, to the 435th Construction and Training Squadron installing aircraft arresting systems here, to 1st Combat Communications Squadron supporting all players with a robust communications capability.  Not to mention the air advisors from Detachment 1 working a multitude of events designed to build partnerships with our Romanian counterparts--everyone is stepping-up."

The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing hosted a series of events designed to build partnerships by sharing knowledge, skills and best practices. Airmen from airfield operations, air traffic control, medical and logistics developed training plans to effectively share knowledge between the two nations.

"I believe the next two weeks will be a great opportunity, not only to increase our efficiency, but mostly to tighten up the bonds between the U.S. and Romanian air force," said Romanian air force Col. Marious Oatu, 71st Air Base commander. "So fly safe and good luck."

As Airmen passed along knowledge and best practices on the ground, U.S. F-16CJ Fighting Falcon pilots and Romanian Mig-26 pilots took to the skies to hone their skills.

"It's an honor to be here and train side-by-side with the Romanians," said Lt. Col. David Berkland, 480th Fighter Squadron commander. "We hope by being here we can increase the cooperation between our countries and NATO partners and be able to provide increased security in the Eastern Europe region."

The training event will continue through March 27 and continue to improve the interoperability between the two nations, while further increasing relations as NATO partners.