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USAFE, Romanian Airmen kick off Dacian Warhawk

By Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published March 20, 2015

A 480th Fighter Squadron, from Spangdalhem Air Base, Germany, pilot takes of at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. Pilots from the 480th FS joined Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing to participate in exercise Dacian Warhawk. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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A 480th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft pilot from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, takes off at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. Pilots from the 480th FS joined Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing to participate in exercise Dacian Warhawk. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

A 480th Fighter Squadron jet is readied for flight during the first gos of exercise Dacian Warhawk at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The exercise provides an opportunity for both pilots and support Airmen to work together with their Romanian counterparts to strengthen relationships between nations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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A 480th Fighter Squadron jet is readied for flight during the first gos of exercise Dacian Warhawk at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The exercise provides an opportunity for both pilots and support Airmen to work together with their Romanian counterparts to strengthen relationships between nations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon leaves Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015, during the first sorties of Dacian Warhawk. More than 100 Airmen participated in the joint U.S. and Romania exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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An F-16 Fighting Falcon leaves Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015, during the first sorties of Dacian Warhawk. More than 100 Airmen participated in the joint U.S. and Romania exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

Senior Airman David Vogt, 1st Combat Communications Squadron radio frequency transmission technician, ensures proper connection for the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing participated in Dacian Warhawk, which featured U.S. and Romanian Airmen working side-by-side to establish a base and conduct both ground and air operations with NATO partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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Senior Airman David Vogt, 1st Combat Communications Squadron radio frequency transmission technician, ensures proper connection for the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing participated in Dacian Warhawk, which featured U.S. and Romanian Airmen working side-by-side to establish a base and conduct both ground and air operations with NATO partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

Senior Airman Scott Weeks, right, and Airman 1st Class Nathan Miller, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, conduct training during down time at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The 52nd Fighter Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing joined forces with the Romanian air force to conduct air and ground operations training during Dacian Warhawk, a two-week training mission designed to increase the interoperability between the U.S. and Romania. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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Senior Airman Scott Weeks, right, and Airman 1st Class Nathan Miller, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, conduct training during down time at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The 52nd Fighter Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing joined forces with the Romanian air force to conduct air and ground operations training during Dacian Warhawk, a two-week training mission designed to increase the interoperability between the U.S. and Romania. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

Senior Airman Scott Weeks, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, right, familiarizes Airman 1st Class Nathan Miller, 52nd CES firefighter, with the specific functions of a fire truck during down time at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The firefighters joined More than 100 personnel and six F-16CJ Fighting Falcons in a bilateral Romanian and U.S. Air Force training event March 10 to 27. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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Senior Airman Scott Weeks, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, right, familiarizes Airman 1st Class Nathan Miller, 52nd CES firefighter, with the specific functions of a fire truck during down time at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The firefighters joined More than 100 personnel and six F-16CJ Fighting Falcons in a bilateral Romanian and U.S. Air Force training event March 10 to 27. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe salute as both U.S. and Romanian flags are raised March 16, 2015 at Campia Turzii, Romania. The morning ceremony officially opened Dacian Warhawk, a joint exercise designed to increase the interoperability of both nations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe salute as both U.S. and Romanian flags are raised March 16, 2015 at Campia Turzii, Romania. The morning ceremony officially opened Dacian Warhawk, a joint exercise designed to increase the interoperability of both nations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

U.S. and Romanian Airmen stand at attention for a flag ceremony at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The Romanian air force hosted an opening ceremony to kick off exercise Dacian Warhawk. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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U.S. and Romanian Airmen stand at attention for a flag ceremony at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The Romanian air force hosted an opening ceremony to kick off exercise Dacian Warhawk. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

U.S. and Romanian pilots greet each other after a ceremony at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The pilots are participating in Dacian Warhawk, a joint exercise testing and improving the skills of both ground and aircrews. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales))
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U.S. and Romanian pilots greet each other after a ceremony at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The pilots are participating in Dacian Warhawk, a joint exercise testing and improving the skills of both ground and aircrews. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales))

Tech Sgt. Timothy Hoffma, bioenvironmental technician, left, Lt. Col. Peerach Ewings, flight surgeon and Capt. Ulises Atilano, public health officer, all from Detachment 1, 435th Contingency Response Group, inventory medical supplies during Dacian Warhawk, a two-week training mission designed to increase the interoperability between the U.S. and Romania at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The medics ensured all the materials were available for set up of the expeditionary clinic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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Tech Sgt. Timothy Hoffma, bioenvironmental technician, left, Lt. Col. Peerach Ewings, flight surgeon and Capt. Ulises Atilano, public health officer, all from Detachment 1, 435th Contingency Response Group, inventory medical supplies during Dacian Warhawk, a two-week training mission designed to increase the interoperability between the U.S. and Romania at Campia Turzii, Romania, March 16, 2015. The medics ensured all the materials were available for set up of the expeditionary clinic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales)

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CAMPIA TURZII, Romania -- More than 100 personnel and six F-16 Fighting Falcons landed at Campia Turzii, Romania, to kick off a bilateral Romanian and U.S. Air Force training event March 10 to 27.

Exercise Dacian Warhawk featured U.S. and Romanian Airmen working side-by-side to establish a base and conduct both ground and air operations with NATO partners.

"It's been a great experience to work alongside the 52nd Fighter Wing to strengthen our alliance with the Romanian air force," said Col. Steven Edwards, 435th Contingency Response Group commander. "I'm extremely proud of all the 435th AGOW Airmen helping to make this exercise a success--from the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controllers supporting operations on Cincu Range, to the 435th Construction and Training Squadron installing aircraft arresting systems here, to 1st Combat Communications Squadron supporting all players with a robust communications capability. Not to mention the air advisors from Detachment 1 working a multitude of events designed to build partnerships with our Romanian counterparts--everyone is stepping-up."

The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing hosted a series of events designed to build partnerships by sharing knowledge, skills and best practices. Airmen from airfield operations, air traffic control, medical and logistics developed training plans to effectively share knowledge between the two nations.

"I believe the next two weeks will be a great opportunity, not only to increase our efficiency, but mostly to tighten up the bonds between the U.S. and Romanian air force," said Romanian air force Col. Marious Oatu, 71st Air Base commander. "So fly safe and good luck."

As Airmen passed along knowledge and best practices on the ground, U.S. F-16CJ Fighting Falcon pilots and Romanian Mig-26 pilots took to the skies to hone their skills.

"It's an honor to be here and train side-by-side with the Romanians," said Lt. Col. David Berkland, 480th Fighter Squadron commander. "We hope by being here we can increase the cooperation between our countries and NATO partners and be able to provide increased security in the Eastern Europe region."

The training event will continue through March 27 and continue to improve the interoperability between the two nations, while further increasing relations as NATO partners.