SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- In order to increase partnership, integration and interoperability, the Italian air force has been training and operating out of Spangdahlem during a recent aviation rotation.
Hosting the ItAF has been an opportunity for some 52nd Fighter Wing agencies to hone their skills when it comes to interacting with allied forces.
According to U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Steven Mohan, 52nd Operations Support Squadron Tower Assistant Chief Controller working with the ItAF has benefited the tower allowing them to communicate effectively from joint operations.
“We are getting hands-on experience integrating a different airframe into wing flying,” Mohan said. “This can be challenging at times due to the different flight profiles and procedures, but it helps to expand our already diverse controlling portfolio with increases tower controllers’ resiliency and expeditionary readiness.”
Additionally hosting the ItAF and other Allied Forces is important to not only the wing, but to the Air Force overall because it allows Airmen to enhance their ability to build better partnership capacities, according to Mohan.
“Building key joint partners, such as the ItAF, allows us to better posture and respond to multinational engagements,” Mohan said. “The cooperation between our services allows us to leverage our joint skills and abilities to accomplish the mission and support our allies.”