52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
5/19/2015 - SLIAC AIR BASE, Slovakia -- A small contingent of approximately 40 Airmen and four A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 16, 2015, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Of the 12 A-10s deployed to Europe as a theater security package, these four will train with the Slovakian air force May 18-22 to improve interoperability in allied air operations and multinational close-air-support operations.
"The U.S. Air Force's forward presence in Europe, augmented by a rotational force like the TSP, allows us to work with our allies to develop and improve ready air forces capable of maintaining regional security," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, in a news release.
The 354th EFS is deployed to Campia Turzii, Romania, but participates in these micro deployments across Europe to show NATO allies the U.S. commitment to a peaceful and stable Europe.
"The biggest thing is we're going to first work with the Slovakian air force and especially the L-29s and make sure we're providing the joint close air support training," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Hayde, 354th EFS commander. "We've done training all throughout Europe with the joint terminal attack controllers and we're going to continue that in Slovakia ... so we look forward to doing that next week as we travel out there."
The TSP serves as part of a routine deployment of additional fighter squadrons, support personnel and equipment aimed to bolster U.S. forces in Europe on a rotating basis. Theater security package rotations have been occurring in the Pacific region since 2004.
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