Dignitaries visit U.S., Bulgarian exercise

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Quinton T. Burris
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POLVDIV, Bulgaria (AFNS) --  The U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and Bulgarian minister of defense visited Plovdiv Airport to witness the partnership building between U.S. and Bulgarian military forces April 27 during Operation Thracian Spring 2010 here.

The bilateral training exercise brings U.S. and Bulgarian military forces together to build upon and strengthen the bonds currently shared between the two countries, while continuing to improve interoperability as Bulgaria continues to progress as a new partner nation in NATO.

Aircrew, maintenance, airfield management, aerial port, security forces, and logistics Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing deployed to Plovdiv in support of Operation Thracian Spring 2010.

James Warlick Jr., the U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria, and Anu Anguelov, the Bulgarian minister of defense, along with 13 NATO parliamentary members, spent the day speaking with Bulgarian defense forces and U.S. servicemembers, toured a C-130J Hercules and observed a paratrooper jump demonstration.

"When we found out we would have the opportunity to brief the Bulgarian minister of defense and U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria on our operations here, it meant a lot," said Capt. Adam Wantuck, a 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J pilot. "It just goes to show that what we are doing here is important. We are truly building upon partnership and solidifying our future relationships."

Minister Anguelov and Ambassador Warlick vowed their support for continued future joint training opportunities.

"We are building partnerships through our training," Minister Anguelov said. "What we are doing here will ensure that we are prepared to continue conducting future joint operations in Kosovo, Kabul, Kandahar, Bosnia and other place we may jointly go. Our troops are doing a wonderful job. They are cementing not only the partnership between Bulgaria and the United States, but also partnership with all NATO nations. I consider our continued joint exercise and operational training a necessity. I look forward to having a U.S. contingent here in Bulgaria in the near future."