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Airmen deploy to Slovakia as part of TSP

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron speak to Theodore Sedgwick, U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia, center right, and Slovakian air force Brig. Gen. Miroslav Korba, Slovakian air force commander, right, during a theater security package deployment at Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 18, 2015. As part of the deployment, the U.S. and Slovakian air forces will train together May 18-22 to improve interoperability in allied air operations and multinational close-air-support operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

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Airmen deploy to Slovakia as part of TSP

Theodore Sedgwick, U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia, speaks to a U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron during a theater security package deployment at Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 18, 2015. The U.S. values the shared commitment and close cooperation with NATO partners on the security and stability of Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

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Airmen deploy to Slovakia as part of TSP

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Hayde, 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, right, explains the features of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 354th EFS to Slovakian air force Brig. Gen. Miroslav Korba, Slovakia air force commander during a theater security package deployment at Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 18, 2015. The U.S. and Slovakian air forces will conduct training aimed to strengthen interoperability and demonstrate the countries' shared commitment to the security and stability of Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

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Airmen deploy to Slovakia as part of TSP

Four U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron sit on a ramp during a theater security package deployment at Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 18, 2015. More than 40 Airmen from the 354th EFS deployed to Slovakia to participate in a theater security package in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

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Airmen deploy to Slovakia as part of TSP

A U.S. Air Force crew chief assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron runs pre-flight checks of an A-10 Thunderbolt II during a theater security package deployment at Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 18, 2015. The U.S. Air Force’s forward presence in Europe allows cooperation among NATO allies and partners to develop and improve ready air forces capable of maintaining regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

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Airmen deploy to Slovakia as part of TSP

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes off from a runway during a theater security package deployment at Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 18, 2015. The aircraft deployed to Slovakia in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve to bolster air power capabilities while underscoring the U.S. commitment to European security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

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Airmen deploy to Slovakia as part of TSP

A U.S. Air Force crew chief assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron salutes the pilot of an A-10 Thunderbolt II during a theater security package deployment at Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 18, 2015. As part of the deployment, the U.S. and Slovakian air forces will train together May 18-22 to improve interoperability in allied air operations and multinational close-air-support operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

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A-10s, Airmen deploy to Slovakia as part of TSP

Published May 19, 2015
By Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SLIAC AIR BASE, Slovakia -- A small contingent of approximately 40 Airmen and four A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 16, 2015, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Of the 12 A-10s deployed to Europe as a theater security package, these four will train with the Slovakian air force May 18-22 to improve interoperability in allied air operations and multinational close-air-support operations.

"The U.S. Air Force's forward presence in Europe, augmented by a rotational force like the TSP, allows us to work with our allies to develop and improve ready air forces capable of maintaining regional security," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, in a news release.

The 354th EFS is deployed to Campia Turzii, Romania, but participates in these micro deployments across Europe to show NATO allies the U.S. commitment to a peaceful and stable Europe.

"The biggest thing is we're going to first work with the Slovakian air force and especially the L-29s and make sure we're providing the joint close air support training," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Hayde, 354th EFS commander. "We've done training all throughout Europe with the joint terminal attack controllers and we're going to continue that in Slovakia ... so we look forward to doing that next week as we travel out there."

The TSP serves as part of a routine deployment of additional fighter squadrons, support personnel and equipment aimed to bolster U.S. forces in Europe on a rotating basis. Theater security package rotations have been occurring in the Pacific region since 2004.