U.S., Swedish air forces conduct squadron exchange program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Connor Estes
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFNS) --  Swedish Air Force and 48th Fighter Wing airmen participated in a week-long squadron exchange program here, which concluded Nov. 18.
Swedish JAS-39 Gripen pilots went up against F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle pilots in simulated combat scenarios to train with and learn from each other.

The 493rd Fighter Squadron "Grim Reapers," operating the F-15Cs, acted as hosts for the Gripen fighters and their crew. The 492nd Fighter Squadron "Madhatters" and 494th Fighter Squadron "Panthers," operating the F-15Es, also participated in the training.

"I thought the training was a huge success, and to work with our sister wing from Sweden was outstanding," said Capt. Mike Culhane, the 493rd FS C-flight commander. "We executed our mission along with the Swedish pilots seamlessly. We were very impressed with the Gripen; it's a very capable aircraft."

For the Swedish pilots, they said it was a great opportunity to learn and fly in a different location.

"It's really good for our new guys to be in a new environment and see how things work at another base, a whole other country," said 2nd Lt. Jonas Eriksson, a Swedish Gripen pilot.

The training centered on air-to-air exercises between the American F-15s and Swedish JAS-39s, allowing the pilots of both airframes to gain experience with dissimilar aircraft. Some of the training consisted of basic fighting maneuvers against the F-15s and large force employments scenarios.

"The aim for us is to improve our interoperability and to fly against aircraft different than ours," said Lt. Col. Joergem Marqvardsem, who is the Swedish Air Force 211 commander and Gripen pilot. "For most of our pilots this is the first time flying against F-15s, so the training was superb in attaining that experience."

The exercises also provided an opportunity for allies to come together and form friendships.

"U.S. Air Forces in Europe is important to Sweden, so the main thing with this training is to continue the long-lasting friendship between our two nations," said Maj. Lars Karlsson, the Swedish Air Force 211 Squadron project officer. "We are very pleased and impressed with the hospitality, resources and support we received from the 48th Fighter Wing and want to return the favor by inviting them for training to our wing in Sweden next time."