Russian delegation visits USAFE bases

Lt. Col. Sergey Izvenkov and Col. Aleksandu Razygraeu, Russian distinguished visitors, observe as Tech. Sgt. Timothy Pachasa, guest Joint Terminal Attack Instructor at USAFE Air Ground Operations School from Ft. Bliss, Texas, demonstrates the use of the Indirect Fire Forward Air Control Trainer simulator, a procedural trainer that simulates close air support and indirect fires. The demonstration was at the Joint Fighters Center for Excellence on Spangdahlem AB, Germany, April 30, 2008. (United States Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Logan Tuttle)

Russian delegation visits USAFE bases

Col. Aleksandu Razygraeu of the Russian air force visited Joint Fighters Center for Excellence at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, April 30, 2008. Tech. Sgt. Timothy Pachasa, guest Joint Terminal Attack Instructor at the USAFE Air Ground Operations School in Fort Bliss, Texas, demonstrated the capabilities of the Indirect Fire Forward Air Control Trainer simulator, a procedural trainer that simulates close air support and indirect fires. (United States Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Logan Tuttle)

Russian delegation visits USAFE bases

Lt. Col. Dennis Kondrashkin, Lt. Col. Sergey Izkenekov, and Colonel Aleksandu Razygraeu, all from the Russian air forces, were provided translation of a briefing by Sgt. 1st Class Russel Cushman during their visit to the Joint Fighter's Center for Excellence at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, April 30, 2008. (United States Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Logan Tuttle)

Russian delegation visits USAFE bases

Sgt. 1st Class Russel Cushman translated both a briefing and questions during Lt. Col. Dennis Kondrashkin, Lt. Col. Sergey Izkenekov, and Col. Aleksandu Razygraeu’s visit to the Joint Fighter's Center for Excellence at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, April 30, 2008. (United States Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Logan Tuttle)

Russian delegation visits USAFE bases

Published May 5, 2008
By Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl L. Toner
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- A Russian delegation visited two United States Air Forces in Europe bases April 27-May 1, 2008, to discuss for the first time ever theater security cooperation between the U.S. and Russian Air Forces.

This "unique" meeting was approved during last year's U.S.-Russia Work Plan process after more than a year in planning, according to Maj. Scott Ogledzinski, Headquarters USAFE deputy chief of the Europe and Eurasia branch.

"The visit is definitely a good news story," said Major Ogledzinski. "This is the first time ever that we've been able to bring action officer-level representatives from around the world to talk about theater security cooperation engagement opportunities between our two air forces."

During their visit, the Russians visited officials at USAFE at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and the Joint Fires Center of Excellence at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. At Spangdahlem they were given a tour of JFCoE and briefing by Lt. Col. Daniel Hawkins, the Air to Ground School commander.

While visiting USAFE, Major Ogledzinski said the group discussed "engagement opportunities for the two air forces," as well as plan for future visits. "By visiting (JFCoE), the Russian delegation will have a better idea of who from the Russian Air Force is best to send to the familiarization event later this summer," said the major.

"During the visit later this summer, the Russian delegation will learn more about how the U.S. Air Force conducts Close Air Support and Forward Air Controller training," said Major Ogledzinski. "Hopefully, they can take some of the things they learn during this trip back to their units in Russia.

"The goal is to provide more interoperability between our two Air Forces should the two conduct operations together in the future for example multi-national peace keeping operations," said the major.

Visitors on this trip were Russian Federation Air Force representatives, Col. Aleksandr Razygraev, Lt. Col. Sergey Izvekov, and Lt. Col. Denis Kondrashkin, as well as U.S. representatives from USAFE/A5IE, NORAD/NORTHCOM from Colorado Springs, Colo., Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Base, Hawaii, 11th Air Force, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and the Air Attaché to Russia from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

"These meetings have gone so well that we hope to make them an annual event," said Major Ogledzinski.