An F-15C Eagle aircraft lands at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, March 24, 2017. F-15C's from the Lousiana and Florida Air National Guard's 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Europe to participate in a Theater Security Package. These F-15s will conduct training alongside NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe. (Staci Miller/U.S. Air Force)
An F-15C Eagle aircraft lands at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, March 24, 2017. F-15C's from the Lousiana and Florida Air National Guard's 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Europe to participate in a Theater Security Package. These F-15s will conduct training alongside NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe. (Staci Miller/U.S. Air Force)
An F-15C Eagle pilot talks with his crew chief after landing at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, March 24, 2017. F-15C's from the Lousiana and Florida Air National Guard's 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Europe to participate in a Theater Security Package. These F-15s will conduct training alongside NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe. (Staci Miller/U.S. Air Force)
F-15C Eagles from the Lousiana and Florida Air National Guard's 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Europe to participate in a Theater Security Package, March 24, 2017. These F-15s will conduct training alongside NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe. (Ciara Gosier/U.S. Air Force)
Airmen from the 122nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron perform maintenance at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, March 24, 2017. F-15C's from the Lousiana and Florida Air National Guard's 159th EFS deployed to Europe to participate in a Theater Security Package. These F-15s will conduct training alongside NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe. (Ciara Gosier/U.S. Air Force)
Lt. Col. Thomas Kilroy, 93rd Fighter Squadron, assistant director of operations, prepares for a local area orientation flight at Andravida Air Base, Greece, Mar. 24, 2017. (Ciara Gosier/U.S. Air Forcee)
Three F-16C Fighting Falcons from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. taxi for a sortie during Iniohos 17 at Andravida Air Base, Greece, Mar. 27, 2017. Iniohos 17 is a Hellenic Air Force-led, large force, flying exercise between NATO allies and partner nations. (Ciara Gosier/U.S. Air Force)
The Air Force’s 482nd Fighter Wing from Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida has united with NATO partners for the annual Exercise Iniohos 17 in Greece.
“This exercise gives us the chance to strengthen our bonds with other (NATO) countries, our allies, with a different type of air superiority,” Capt. Paul Deveaux, a maintenance operations officer, said in a statement Tuesday.
Meanwhile, more than 300 airmen and 12 F-15C Eagles from the Louisiana and Florida Air National Guard have deployed to Leeuwarden Air Base, the Netherlands, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which aims to reassure allies along Russia’s western border.
The Iniohos air warfare exercise, held at Adravida Air Base in western Greece, brings together pilots and flight crews from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Italy, and Greece. Twelve Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons are taking part in the 10-day event, which started on Monday.
“This experience gives us the feel for a deployment,” 482nd crew chief Staff Sgt. Jordan Anthony said. “It gives us a chance to improve flexibility with things we may or may not have and the opportunity to work in an environment we’re not used to.”
This is the third year in a row that the Iniohos exercise has been held. Last year, 12 F-15E Strike Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, took part in the exercise.
The deployment of the Air National Guard’s 122nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to the Netherlands is intended to demonstrate U.S. resolve to supporting allies in Europe.
While at Leeuwarden airmen will train alongside NATO allies in the Frisian Flag exercise, led by the Dutch air force. The event has been held on an annual basis since 1999.
“We want to see what these other countries can do, how we can best integrate with them, show them what we can do and then look at those lessons learned and get better,” Lt. Col. Daniel Fischer, the squadron commander, said in a statement.
After the exercise, the unit will move to forward locations in other NATO nations for a six-month period.
“We’re building partnerships with our NATO allies and looking to deter any potential Russian aggression,” Fischer said.
