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U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Ai
U.S. Airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, prepare their F-15E Strike Eagles for a series of integrated training sorties during operation Castle Forge alongside F-16 aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force’s 110th Combat Wing at Larissa Air Base, Greece, Oct. 11, 2021.
Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led, joint, multi-national operation. It demonstrates the joint force’s combined ability to respond in times of crisis with a flexible, reassuring presence (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).
Photo by: Capt. Andrew Layton
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100th Air Refueling Wing Public
A Norwegian air force F-35A Lighting II aircraft receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, during exercise Castle Forge over Norway, Nov. 4, 2021. Training with joint and combined allies and partners increases lethality and enhances interoperability, allowing U.S. forces to counter military aggression and coercion by sharing responsibilities for common defense. In addition to F-15 Eagle aircraft operations in the Black Sea Region, Castle Forge encompasses the USAFE-wide Agile Combat Employment capstone event. Castle Forge’s components will better enable forces to quickly disperse and continue to deliver air power from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen are always ready to respond to potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)
Photo by: Senior Airman Joseph Barron
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U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Ai
A Romanian F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 53rd Fighter Squadron, Borcea 86th Air Base, Romania, flies in formation with a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, during operation Castle Forge, Oct. 20, 2021.
Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led, joint, multi-national operation. It provides a dynamic, partnership-focused training environment that raises the U.S. commitment to collective defense in the Black Sea region while enhancing interoperability alongside NATO allies (Courtesy photo by Romanian Air Force).
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
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U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Ai
U.S. Airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, pose with allies from the Romanian Air Force's 53rd Fighter Squadron, 86th Air Base, Borcea, Romania, during operation Castle Forge, Nov. 4, 2021.
Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led, joint, multi-national operation. It demonstrates the joint force’s combined ability to respond in times of crisis with a flexible, reassuring presence (Courtesy photo by Romanian Air Force).
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., wrap up operations in Greece after the completion of Castle Forge. The Agile Combat Employment exercise is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led joint, multinational training event that took place from October 10 - November 15 2021.
Castle Forge provided a dynamic, partnership-focused environment that affirmed U.S. commitment to NATO allies and security in the Black Sea region while increasing partnership capacity alongside Bulgarian, Hellenic, and Romanian air force counterparts. Additionally, Castle Forge demonstrated the joint force’s combined ability to respond in times of crisis with a flexible, reassuring presence
“When it comes to proving the inherent agility of our force and reaffirming the solid partnerships we have with NATO allies in the Black Sea region, Castle Forge was a huge success,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, Commander, USAFE-AFAFRICA. “There is no question that our NATO allies provide the backbone of our ability to operate anywhere, anytime, and with any platform necessary to guarantee security and stability in the region. Besides being incredibly proud of what our entire team has accomplished during Castle Forge, I am confident the conditions have been set for even stronger cooperation in the future.”
For more information, contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Public Affairs at +49 06371-47-6558 or email usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.
