US, Bulgarian forces synchronize training to strengthen future Published July 20, 2015 By Senior Airman Nicole Sikorski 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (AFNS) -- Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, went wheels up for a bilateral training exercise with the Bulgarian air force, July 14-24.More than 100 Ramstein AB Airmen deployed with three C-130J Super Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron, to Plovdiv. The deployment allowed NATO allies to train together while maintaining joint readiness and building interoperability capabilities."This is the sixth year we have participated in this exercise," said Bulgarian air force Col. Petar Tsolov, the 87th Division air force headquarters tactical branch commander. "The training we do together is very useful and beneficial to everyone involved. I can recall a few years ago, there was mistrust between pilots, so missions were flown separately. We, as a smaller air force, have a lot to learn and the U.S. is one of the best to learn from."Airmen and Soldiers from more than 50 career fields came together to carry out the mission, which not only strengthened NATO partnerships, but highlighted a shared commitment to ensure global deterrence of common threats.The exercise was an opportunity for everyone involved to strengthen some key areas of routine flying and unorthodox operations.According to Capt. Derek Patrick, a 37th AS pilot and the exercise mission commander, this annual training is crucial to building friendships, all while keeping up with the needs of Air Force training requirements."It's great to be able to practice night flying, low-level formations and unimproved surface landing training out here," Patrick said. "These components are critical because they allow us to operate anywhere that (U. S. Air Forces in Europe) tasks us to be, at a moment's notice."Ensuring regional security and air operational readiness is a task that cannot be accomplished alone, said Lt. Col. Ryan Barney, the 435th Contingency Response Group commander."Our Bulgarian partners are not just our allies, they are also our friends," Barney said. "The days are in the past when the U.S. could succeed alone. We can't do it by ourselves now, nor do we want to."This annual exercise will continue to strengthen current bonds between the U.S. and its allies and aid in securing the future of NATO.