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USAFE-AFAFRICA commander visits Spangdahlem, promotes interoperability, readiness

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Austin M. May
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander, hosted an event here Aug. 16, 2018, to highlight the F-22 Raptor Flying Training Deployment to Europe, attended by local community leaders and media.

The general’s main emphasis was on the interoperability of 4th- and 5th-generation aircraft and the readiness posture of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

F-22s from the 95th Fighter Squadron, part of the 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, arrived at Spangdahlem Aug. 8, 2018, and will remain in the theater for several weeks for the FTD.

While in Europe, the F-22s are conducting training with other USAFE-based and partner-nation aircraft. The jets have forward deployed to Poland, Italy, Greece, Spain and Norway since arriving in Germany, and plan to visit other bases in Europe for short durations.

“At the end of the day, our goal is to take the forces that exist in all 29 of our NATO nations, and be as transparent with one another as possible, and be aligned to the max extent practical,” he said. “What that affords us is the opportunity to better project peace.”

Wolters highlighted the importance of readiness, noting that a lethal force requires highly trained Airmen, ready equipment and sound infrastructure.

“With each passing day, we’re improving the readiness of the installation, and all you have to do is go out and take a look at the ramp and the many construction projects that are ongoing, and that’s the first indication that we’re improving our readiness,” he said.

“We want to be razor sharp 24/7/365,” Wolters added, standing between an F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor. “And if we anticipate a potential future conflict where we are going to have to use these two resources that you see in this hangar – a 4th-generation asset and a 5th-generation asset – I want to practice as much as I possibly can to make sure that all of the resources that could be involved are as well-trained, and as well-versed in each other’s’ capabilities as possible.”

The aircrews involved in the exercise so far have participated in a multitude of different scenarios, as simple as one aircraft intercepting another and basic fighter maneuvers, to dissimilar air combat training and exercises involving large numbers of aircraft.

Some of the smallest details, such as unfamiliar runways, changing weather and slightly different accents, are beneficial when improving interoperability, the general said.

“Getting more and more accustomed to those changes dramatically improves the readiness posture of our forces, and that’s what we focus on the most: how ready our forces are,” Wolters said.

The F-22 FTD is part of the European Deterrence Initiative, which enables the United States to enhance the U.S. deterrence posture, increase the readiness and responsiveness of U.S. forces in Europe, support collective defense and security of NATO allies, and bolster the security and capacity of U.S. partners. This enables a faster response to any aggression by a regional adversary against the sovereign territory of a NATO ally.
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