US, Romania, join forces for Carpathian Fall 2017

OTOPENI AIR BASE, Romania – Military members from the U.S. and Romania joined forces for a bilateral training exercise in Otopeni, Romania, Aug. 21, 2017.


“Carpathian Fall is about building our longstanding relationship with the Romanian Air Force,” said Capt. Jacob Morton, Carpathian Fall ‘17 mission commander.
By Airman 1st Class Joshua Joseph Magbanua 86th Airlift Wing Otopeni, Romania Aug 24, 2017
fallback
Gallery contains 3 images

OTOPENI AIR BASE, Romania – Military members from the U.S. and Romania joined forces for a bilateral training exercise in Otopeni, Romania, Aug. 21, 2017.

Three C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, along with approximately 160 Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, arrived at Otopeni Air Base to conduct combined air operations with the Romanian air force.

Exercise Carpathian Fall aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen relationships with NATO partners, and maintain joint readiness. The exercise is scheduled to run for approximately two weeks, and involves low-level tactical maneuvers, personnel airdrops and assault landings.

Capt. Jacob Morton, Carpathian Fall ‘17 mission commander, expressed his optimism concerning the exercise. The training event gives U.S. and Romanian troops a chance to learn from each other and sharpen their skills together, said Morton.

“Carpathian Fall is about building our longstanding relationship with the Romanian Air Force,” he said. “We’ve done this for many years now, it’s some of the best training we’ve had in Europe. Our relationship with the Romanian Air Force is excellent, and we want to maintain that by working together.”

Participants in the exercise come from a variety of career fields including aircraft maintenance, logistics, intelligence, contingency response, medical and U.S. Army paratroopers.

Morton stressed the importance of cooperation between Allies, explaining that mission effectiveness increases when one understand how the other works. He expanded on some of the similarities of Romanian and American equipment, particularly their aircraft.

“If we’re not training together, there’s a chance we might show up and not know what everyone else is doing,” Morton said. “The more we fly together, the better we can fight together.”

More in Media Room
Northern Europe defense conference builds on longstanding partnerships for security
The annual conference also included first-time participants from Belgium, Canada and Luxembourg to further develop regional partnerships.
Read more
Italy, U.S. advance basing agreements, defense cooperation during bilateral meeting
Read more
Gallantry under fire: RAF Lakenheath honors decorated Airmen for repelling mass Iranian drone attack
On April 13 and throughout the morning of April 14, a mix of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and other defensive assets successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack UAVs intended to strike Israel from Iran and Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Read more
More in Media Room
Northern Europe defense conference builds on longstanding partnerships for security
The annual conference also included first-time participants from Belgium, Canada and Luxembourg to further develop regional partnerships.
Read more
Italy, U.S. advance basing agreements, defense cooperation during bilateral meeting
Read more
Gallantry under fire: RAF Lakenheath honors decorated Airmen for repelling mass Iranian drone attack
On April 13 and throughout the morning of April 14, a mix of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and other defensive assets successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack UAVs intended to strike Israel from Iran and Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Read more
More in Media Room
Northern Europe defense conference builds on longstanding partnerships for security
The annual conference also included first-time participants from Belgium, Canada and Luxembourg to further develop regional partnerships.
Read more
Italy, U.S. advance basing agreements, defense cooperation during bilateral meeting
Read more
Gallantry under fire: RAF Lakenheath honors decorated Airmen for repelling mass Iranian drone attack
On April 13 and throughout the morning of April 14, a mix of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and other defensive assets successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack UAVs intended to strike Israel from Iran and Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Read more