USAFE program builds working relationships

  • Published
  • By Capt. Erin Dorrance
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  U.S. Air Forces in Europe patches can be seen around the world because of the command's robust military-to-military program, which is one of several theater security cooperation components. USAFE works with more than 60 countries on three continents annually to share information and enhance interoperability among nations.

The military-to-military program office is staffed by seven international relations' specialists at USAFE. They organize more than 100 events throughout Europe, Eurasia and Africa each year. Some events send subject matter experts to different countries; and others invite foreign military members to visit various USAFE bases. Topics of the events range from NCO development to F-16 Fighting Falcon operations to fire fighting and many more.

"USAFE is perfectly located for these types of programs because we have organic assets forward deployed in real time," said Jose Gabilondo, USAFE/A5 Europe and Eurasia branch chief. "We can support these programs more timely, effectively and cheaply than units back in the U.S."

The sister wing relationship between Spangdahlem's 52nd Fighter Wing and Poland's Krzesiny Air Force Base F-16 squadrons is one example of the successes achieved through the military-to-military program. Poland is standing up an F-16 fleet, of which they currently have received 41 of 48 aircraft. The two fighter squadrons have been closely engaged to improve and learn from each other, said Maj. Scott Ogledzinski, USAFE/A5 Europe and Eurasia Brach desk officer.

Regardless of the venue, military-to-military programs give personnel the chance to build relationships.

"Face-to-face communication is the best way for us to build relationships and break down communication barriers that modern day e-mail and telephone calls can create," said Lt. Col. Mick Anderson, USAFE/A5 Africa branch chief. "These programs allow us to build a bond with our foreign counterparts; which opens up a future of opportunities."

The success of the program is multifaceted.

"This program develops culture awareness amongst Airmen," Major Ogledzinski said. "There is a lot to be gained through these programs and they will have ripple effects on future engagements."

Another success is that foreign nations are exposed to some of the unique elements that make the U.S. Air Force formidable.

"Our subject matter experts may be junior NCOs or women," said Capt. Lucian Ivan, USAFE/A5 Europe and Eurasia desk officer. "These Airmen are sent as ambassadors to share information with foreign militaries that may not have a strong NCO corps or women in their military."

Captain Ivan commented that on a recent TDY to an Eastern European country with the 86th Airlift Wing, several host-country Airmen were amazed that the two pilots were women. While some of the countries in Eastern Europe are aggressively integrating women into their armed forces, as with many European militaries, they still haven't fully empowered their female servicemembers as we've done in the U.S. Armed Forces. According to Captain Ivan, the host-country Airmen were also impressed that the C-21 pilots were both first lieutenants in command of a multi-million dollar aircraft.

The requests for military-to-military programs are made from the U.S. government through military or embassy channels, as well as from foreign nations, said Maj. Youngkun Yu, USAFE/A5 Europe and Eurasia Branch desk officer.

"We are always happy to participate in military-to-military events because we learn from each other," Major Yu said. "We then gather lessons learned and utilize this information down the road in real-world events."

The reason why the military-to-military program has been such a success is because of command support and participation, Mr. Gabilondo said. Unit commanders understand the importance of the program and support it despite manning shortages and a high operations tempo.

"We are building partner capacity, mutual understanding and interoperability through relationships with our multinational partners which will pay off tenfold in years to come," Mr. Gabilondo said.

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