Golden State ANG, Romanian air force partnership soars over Campia Turzii
Matei Codobam, 7, looks inside the cockpit of Massaschusetts Air National Guard F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes ANG Base, Mass., while California ANG Lt. Col. Paul Shamy, a 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-15C pilot, waits to pose for a photo taken by Matei's family during the Romanian air force's 71st Air Base's air show and open house at Campia Turzii, Romania, July 23, 2016. The aviation demonstration took place during the middle of the U.S. Air Force's 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's six-month long theater security package deployment to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which aims to bolster the U.S.'s continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region. The unit, comprised of more than 200 CANG Airmen from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno ANG Base, Calif., as well as U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, piloted, maintained and supported the deployment of 12 F-15Cs Eagle fighter aircraft throughout nations like Romania, Iceland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Estonia and among others. The F-15Cs took to the skies alongside the 71st AB's MiG-21 fighter aircraft and Puma helicopters for both the airshow, the second engagement of its kind at Campia Turzii under Operation Atlantic Resolve, and the bilateral flight training, also known as Dacian Eagle 2016. The 194th EFS partnered with the 104th EFS's previous deployment as part of the theater security package, including a contingent of 104th FW aircraft which remained at Campia Turzii. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden/Released)