379th Airmen host Navy F/A-18s

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brok McCarthy
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Airmen with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing recently played host to Sailors from the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt who were participating in Exercise Eastern Angler.

The bilateral coalition exercise consisted of five days of flying operations, giving the Navy F/A-18 Hornet pilots a chance to train with the host nation air forces and see how they operate. Three types of F/A-18s were used in the exercise, the A and C Hornet and the F Super Hornet models.

"Exercises like this bring us together with the host nation and allow us to interact with other militaries," said Lt. Cmdr. Doug Langenberg, Strike Fighter Squadron 213. "There are lessons learned on both sides. It's always good to train with other nations."

During the exercise, the Naval aviators flew one or two missions per day, with two to four jets per mission. He said exercises like this are important because they allow the U.S. servicemembers to learn how those in other countries operate.

"It's interesting to see how the host nation briefs and plans their events," Commander Langenberg said. "You even learn things through the administrative part of the flight. When the controllers say something, there may be slight differences in what they say and what they mean."

He said one of the more interesting aspects of the exercise was the fewer air space restrictions found here. A few of the restrictions they did have to adhere to included safety issues, like maintaining a minimum altitude and not breaking the sound barrier, and not flying in certain areas, like over a host country airport.

"Our ranges usually have restrictions on them, so it's nice to have unrestricted air space like this," he said.

"Although not directly involved with this exercise, we're happy to provide the coordination across the base that allowed our joint partners to participate in the exercise," said Lt. Col. Burnett LaChance, chief of 379th AEW plans and programs. "An exercise like this requires a major effort from the expeditionary mission support group to provide all the support necessary to bed down 70-plus people.

"Even as the 379th AEW continues to work with our host nation on local exercises, these bilateral exercises increase our knowledge of their operation and strengthen our cooperative relationship," he said.

Commander Langenberg said the exercise was successful in part due to the support the unit received from people who are stationed here.

"I'd like to thank the 379th AEW for hosting us, the support has been great," Commander Langenberg said. "I'd also like to thank Patrol Squadron Eight. The P-3 Orion squadron here helped us with administrative tasks like immigrating and emigrating."

The more than 5,500 personnel who live and work aboard the nuclear-powered Nimitz class aircraft carrier have been deployed since September, 2008. 

The ship has been involved in eight different operations including Operation Desert Shield, and holds the distinction being the launch platform for 4,200 sorties between Jan. 9 and Feb. 28, 1991, more than any other Navy carrier.

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