Slovenian, Polish air forces visit Spangdahlem

Published Dec. 9, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Andrea Knudson
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Several Spangdahlem Air Base units served as host for Air Force members visiting the base from Poland and Slovenia Nov. 17 to21. The visit fell under the Theater Security Cooperation, which exists to encourage teamwork between the United States and its allies.

The purpose of the visit was to increase information crossflow and familiarize senior leaders of the Polish air forces on the procedures and command and control processes the U.S. Air Force uses to manage a support group within an F-16 fighter wing organization, said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin McNeill, 52nd AircraftMaintenance Unit assistantsuperintendent and TheaterSecurity Cooperation event pointof contact.

"The Slovenian armed forces is transforming its air component as part of its NATO force goals. As part of this transformation, the SAF is acquiring theater lift aircraft and stationing them at an airfield that is in the midst of obtaining certification for NATO operations," Sergeant McNeill said. "Aircraft maintenance management is a critical gap in the SAFs knowledge that must be closed in order to achieve its NATO force goals."

Sergeant McNeill was responsible for coordinating and aligning U.S. Air Forces in Europe's securitycooperation efforts with guidanceand priorities established by the secretary of defense, commanderof U.S. European Command and the USAFE commander.

The 52nd Maintenance Group Commander Col. John Morley provided the grounds for the maintenance group to build a closer relationship with Spangdahlem's NATO allies.

"Developing a relationship with these countries builds trust and underscores our commitment to create the peaceful means to prevent conflicts and reduce threats through non-coercive mil-to-mil programs like this Polish and Slovenian (air force) visit," Colonel Morley said.

"The opportunity allowed the maintenance group to enhance interoperability and interdependency with allied partners and friendly nations to conduct cooperative military operations," the colonel said. "This is achieved through bi-lateral and multi-lateral activities with allies, partners and friendly nations such as the previous visit by Polish and Slovenian air forces."

This visit also served as an opportunity for the U.S. Air Force and its allies to continue joining forces to combat global terrorism by exchanging information using efficient, streamlined procedures.

Maj. Wieslaw Grzyb, a Polish air force maintenance officer, said although there are similarities between the way his unit and the maintenance units here conduct day-to-day operations -- his unit trained with National Guard members in Springfield, Ill., - there are other areas he wanted to observe.

"We're in the process of looking forward to new challenges with deployments," Major Grzyb said. While here, he observed Spangdahlem's units and "focused on organizational (functions) for deployments, such as how many people deploy" and other deployment aspects so he could take those processes back to his unit.

Lt. Col. Adam Bondaruk, a pilot with the Polish air force, agreed the structures were similar in terms of maintenance, but added the visit provided some insight of how the processes work in respect to the big picture.

"This trip, from the Polish side, shows we have to know as much as possible - not just flying - but maintenance as well," Colonel Bondaruk said.

As far as deployment training goes, he said there was much to gain in that area as well.
"(To check our abilities), we had a squadron exchange program in Denmark for just one week - four jets, six pilots - about 40 people," Colonel Bondaruk said. "Next year, we'll have 10 deployments in different countries with eight jets and it will be three to four weeks."

Those involved with this visit said it was positive and informative.

"All the participants were excited about their visit and very eager to learn as much as possible," Sergeant McNeill said.

"They interacted well with all briefers and asked tons of questions about everything from supplies to equipment to processes. They thoroughly documented every tour with pictures of equipment setup, benchstock drawer layouts, locally manufactured stands and more.

"I think this event was extremely valuable for our visiting participants," he said. "They were able to visit all three AMUs at Spangdahlem, photograph and observe the equipment ... and had the opportunity to pick the brains of some of Spangdahlem's best subject-matter experts. I feel this was a very worthwhile visit."

The 52nd MXG commander echoed Sergeant McNeill's sentiments and said the visit was important on many different levels.

"We, as a group, understand that global responsibilities, operational demands and resource limitations make it harder to do our job without the assistance of coalition partners. They are essential in our future national security cooperation achievements," the colonel said.

"Our ultimate goals are to help these visiting countries contribute to future coalition operations and build stronger relationships."

The following units participated in the Polish and Slovenian air forces visit: 52nd MXG, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron, 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 22nd Fighter Squadron.