REAL THAW 13 sets aim for interoperability
MONTE REAL, Portugal – Maintainers recovers A-10 Thunderbolt II jets from the 81st Fighter Squadron after a mission in Monte Real, Portugal, Feb. 14, 2013. The 81st is participating in REAL THAW, a Portuguese military exercise that seeks to provide a realistic operating environment that accurately reflects current theaters of operation, provide adequate training to multinational participants while coordinating joint operations assets on land, air and sea, and improve interoperability between allied forces.The training is for multinational, joint operations in support of future military operations within the framework of several international cooperating forces, such as NATO and EU. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)