354th EFS completes historic TSP deployment

52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/31/2015 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron completed its theater security package mission throughout Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve July 31, 2015.

The squadron's 12 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and approximately 300 Airmen from the 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, forward-deployed to Eastern European locations and conduct flying training alongside NATO allies with the goal of strengthening interoperability and enhancing regional security.

Operation Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of U.S. European Command and United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa's continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region.

"This TSP is a long range, strategic capability to allow the Air Force greater flexibility against evolving threats," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, then-3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, during the Feb. 18, 2015, announcement of the TSP at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. "It is not tied to a specific platform or aircraft, but instead is a method of presenting forces at the right time to the right combatant commander. Our abilities must remain agile to sustain and increase regional security."

The 354th EFS participated in 21 exercises, compiling more than 1,500 sorties and nearly 2,700 flight hours while engaging with 22 countries as part of their deployment.

"To the men and women of the 354th EFS, you are a part of an important mission," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Hayde, 354th EFS commander, during his first address to the squadron during a May 15, 2015, change of command ceremony at Campia Turzii, Romania. "That mission has taken this squadron around Europe. We have trained together with our NATO allies. We have forward deployed to multiple locations and proven we can deploy munitions in close proximity to friendly troops in any weather, day or night."

Although a first in Europe, the Air Force has been conducting similar TSP rotations in the Pacific region since 2004.

"These Airmen and A-10s of the 354th EFS provide a strategic symbol as they represent U.S. commitment to European security and stability," said Roberson during an April 17, 2015, media event at Campia Turzii.

The squadron's aircraft and Airmen will return home to Davis-Monthan after deploying out of Spangdahlem since Feb. 13, 2015.

"As our adopted sisters and brothers of the 354th EFS Bulldogs redeploy home, they can be proud of the hard work they've put in and all they've accomplished toward assuring our NATO allies and enhancing our collective combat capability and readiness," said Col. Joe McFall, 52nd Fighter Wing commander. "As the first unit to deploy in support of Europe's first TSP, they've set the bar for future TSP units on effective partnering with our allies to ensure the safety and stability of the alliance. Moreover, they have done so with class and a can-do attitude while operating at multiple locations with the leanest of support. A huge thanks for a job well done!"

A-10s train with combat controllers during TSP

by Airman 1st Class Luke Kitterman
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/22/2015 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 321st Special Tactics Squadron traveled to Nowe Miasto, Poland, to perform specialized training July 20-23, 2015.

During the day and night, 354th EFS A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft pilots performed unimproved surface landings on an austere landing strip, set up by 321st STS combat controllers, to simulate conditions of a deployed environment.

"The training we are getting here with our pilots will allow us to forward deploy even further than we already can," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Hayde, 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. "In a real-life scenario, combat controllers and pilots with austere landing capabilities could land aircraft anywhere in enemy territory without leaving a large footprint."

An unimproved surface can be dirt, grass, sand, or any other type of rugged terrain.
The old runway where the training took place consisted of cracked, uneven asphalt and was previously only conquered by a few.

"We started with just two pilots in the entire squadron qualified and now we have an extra 10 qualified," Hayde said. "For this training, we'll have the first set of our brand new qualified instructors leading pilots."

The 354th EFS A-10 pilots in training are a part of the first European Theater Security Package in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. They are currently operating out of Lask Air Base, Poland, working together with NATO allies.

"The mission of the Theater Security Package is to reassure our NATO allies," Hayde said. "We have been doing that by providing micro deployments where we take four A-10s at a time to multiple countries. This is the final evolution of that. Now we are taking our entire squadron and putting them on an old runway in the middle of nowhere. We can land A-10s pretty much anywhere."