Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson

U.S. sends “tankbuster” jets to Europe

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From Zero Hedge, February 18, 2015

Karl-Georg Wellmann, a lawmaker in Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union has warned that, despite its efforts to avoid arms being provided to Ukraine, Germany “will no longer be able to stop weapons deliveries from the U.S. and Canada.” Almost too coincidental to these comments, CNN reports, the U.S. Air Force is sending its A-10 “tankbusters” back to Europe in order to “increase rotational presence in Europe to reassure our allies and partner nations that our commitment to European security is a priority.” As Wellmann ominously concludes, seemingly confirming Putin’s warning yesterday that if Kiev aims at a military solution, war will never end, “a large-scale war could develop out of that.”

And so, as CNN reports, The US is sending in the Warthogs…

The U.S. Air Force is sending its “tankbusters” back to Europe.

The service’s European Command said this week that 12 A-10 Thunderbolts would be deployed to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which was formed after Russia’s intervention in Ukraine over the past year.

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The Air Force said besides operating in Germany, the A-10s will be forward deployed to other partner nations in Eastern Europe. U.S. forces have operated out of bases in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Poland, among others, in the past year. 

The A-10, also known as the “Warthog,” was designed in the 1970s to support ground troops in Europe against the tanks and armored vehicles of the then-Soviet Union. Though the jets can carry a variety of bombs and missiles, they are best known for their nose-mounted, seven-barrel 30 mm Gatling gun that can fire almost 4,000 rounds per minute, enough to quickly blow apart a tank. The planes are also durable, with the pilot protected from ground fire by a wrapping of titanium often called “the bathtub.” And they are designed for easy maintenance in battlefield areas, with interchangeable parts for the right and left sides of the aircraft.

 

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-18/us-sends-tankbuster-jets-europe-over-russia-fears-after-germany-says-large-scale-war

Below is the U.S. military release.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe U.S. Air Force Africa
February 18, 2015

Theater security package begins rotation in Europe
By Airman 1st Class Luke Kitterman 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany: The 3rd Air Force commander announced the beginning of the U.S. Air Force’s first European theater security package Feb. 18, 2015, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, addressed media, local authorities and the 52nd Fighter Wing while welcoming the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at the start of the first European TSP rotation.

According to an initial release by U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, the squadron will fly with NATO allies and support Operation Atlantic Resolve. OAR is a demonstration of U.S. European Command and USAFE-AFAFRICA’s continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region.

Twelve U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft and approximately 300 Airmen from the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., are supporting this rotation. The unit will train alongside NATO allies and deploy to locations in Eastern European NATO nations to further enhance interoperability.

“This TSP is a long range, strategic capability to allow the Air Force greater flexibility against evolving threats,” Roberson said. “It is not tied to a specific platform or aircraft, but instead is a method of presenting forces at the right time to the right combatant commander. Our abilities must remain agile to sustain and increase regional security.”

Depending on mission and EUCOM requirements, rotations of TSPs will generally last six months. While TSP missions are new to Europe, the Air Force has been conducting TSP rotations in the Pacific since 2004.

“This operation will remain a construct here in Europe as long as it is needed,” Roberson said. “The Airmen of the 354th EFS are ready to give quick support and quick defense. They will continue to reassure our allies the U.S. commitment to NATO.”
https://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/u-s-air-force-leads-nato-reinforcement-against-Russia/
U.S. Air Force leads NATO reinforcement against Russia

U.S. Air Force squadrons train for air war in Europe

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U.S. Air Forces in Europe
U.S. Air Forces Africa
December 30, 2014

Air Combat Exercise, Iron Hand 15-2 enhances interoperability
By Airman 1st Class Luke Kitterman
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany: Pilots from all U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa’s fighter airframes came together at Spangdahlem in December to participate in a five-day training exercise called Iron Hand 15-2.

“Iron Hand 15-2 is unique because it is a U.S.-only air combat exercise with the intent of enhancing interoperability,” said Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander. “Interoperability is important not only between services and partner-nation air forces, but also among aircraft and mission sets within our own Air Force.”

Spangdahlem’s proximity to other fighter wings in Europe proved to be valuable for this type of exercise.

“We were able to bring in the fighters from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and Aviano Air Base, Italy, to Spangdahlem’s central location,” Roberson said. “It’s the perfect air space for us to do this kind of high-end training.”

Roberson not only oversaw the exercise from the ground but also got a firsthand view of the training from the cockpit of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft.

“It was such a monumental effort that Lt. Gen. Roberson came out to witness and participate in this rare training opportunity,” said Lt. Col. David Berkland, 480th Fighter Squadron commander. “We don’t often get to plan, brief, fly and debrief face-to-face with our fellow USAFE fighter warriors, let alone our 3rd Air Force commander.”

The exercise’s focus was on suppression of enemy air defenses tactics which limits enemy air defenses to allow military assets greater freedom of movement in hostile environments – the 480th’s specialty.

“Spangdahlem is the only SEAD asset for EUCOM (European Command) and AFRICOM (Africa Command),” Roberson said. “It’s important that all three fighter squadrons could work together on this specific type of training so when the threat is real, we are ready.”

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The combined efforts of three different fighter squadrons, maintenance Airmen and key leadership allowed Iron Hand 15-2 to reach its objective of increasing USAFE-AFAFRICA’s fighter airframes air readiness and capability.

Posted on https://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/u-s-squadrons-train-for-air-war-in-Europe/