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June 24, 2016
Volume 40, number 25
Exercise Anakonda 2016 wraps up on high note
Staff Sgt. Thad Taylor, 15th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller, scouts the landscape as he participates in exercise Anakonda 2016 June 10 in Poland. Exercise Anakonda 2016 is a U.S.- and Polish-led exercise involving several nations, with over 25,000 participants from more than 20 countries.
Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SWIDWIN AIR BASE, Poland — Anakonda 2016 is a U.S.- and Polish-led international exercise that seeks to train, exercise and integrate their national command and force structures with allied
nations to form a multinational working environment. The exercise ended on a high note after the U.S. Air Force and Army coordinated the first live airdrop by U.S. aircraft in Poland since World War II. The exercise allowed Airmen to demonstrate their abilities as well as maintain their readiness. “For the tactical air control party and weather
staff, it was extremely important to participate in a live-exercise environment with our partners,” said Col. Eric Chapital, 4th Air Support Operations Group commander. “If we aren’t able to come out here and do our job then catastrophes may occur in a combat situation.” See ANAKONDA, Page 2
RIGA, Latvia — U.S. Airmen joined more than 4,500 military members from 13 different NATO countries as they kicked off exercise Saber Strike ’16 June 12. Saber Strike is a long-standing, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed, U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative-training exercise, which has been conducted annually since 2010. This year’s exer-
cise focused on promoting interoperability with allies and regional partners and improving joint-operational capability in a variety of missions to prepare the participating nations and units for the future. The exercise featured the integration of close air support with allied and partnered nation ground forces as well as the testing of air deployment of forces and equipment. The exercise was conducted through June 21. Capt. Douglas Mabe, 37th Airlift Squadron pilot and SbS16 C-130 mis-
sion commander, explained the importance of training for real-world situations. “Participating in Saber Strike allows the U.S. to accurately simulate supporting our NATO partners in a largescale conflict spanning several countries,” Mabe said. “As tactical airlifters, we must always be prepared to execute any of our various mission sets and capabilities at a moment’s notice, anywhere in the world at any time. This exercise will test our ability to successfully communicate across
NEWS
Story and photo by Senior Airman Nicole Keim 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NEWS
Airmen kick off Saber Strike with European partners
Motorists must expect traffic impacts on road L369 near Ramstein East Gate today through Tuesday. For details, see Page 4.
USAFE command chief reflects on retirement, Page 2
See SABER STRIKE, Page 3
LIFESTYLES
Tip of the Week
multiple branches of the military from various countries in order to achieve our mutual objectives and defeat the opposing force.” This year’s exercise included participation from U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, USAREUR, the U.S. National Guard and Air National Guard and military forces from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway,
Ramstein Airman defends MILGRAPH award, Page 6
Medieval summer market at Lichtenberg Castle, Page 13