Air Command and Control plays pivotal role in BALTOPS
11:05 AM6/14/2017
Capt. Cody Jordan, left, 351st Air Refueling Squadron pilot, conducts a pre-flight inspection on a KC-135R Stratotanker with Master Sgt. Jacob Wavrin, right, 459th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, during BALTOPS exercise at Powidz Air Base, Poland, June 12, 2017. The exercise is designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, to strengthen combined response capabilities, as well as demonstrate resolve among Allied and Partner Nations' forces to ensure stability in, and if necessary defend, the Baltic Sea region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
Air Command and Control plays pivotal role in BALTOPS
11:03 AM6/14/2017
Polish air force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in a two ship formation during BALTOPS over the Baltic Sea, June 13, 2017. BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
Air Command and Control plays pivotal role in BALTOPS
11:02 AM6/14/2017
Tech. Sgt. Steve Hood, 459th Air Refueling Wing boom operator, part of the Total Force Citizen Airmen team refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon, 510th Fighter Squadron, from a KC-135R Stratotanker during BALTOPS over the Baltic Sea, June 13, 2017. BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
Air Command and Control plays pivotal role in BALTOPS
11:00 AM6/14/2017
An F-16 Fighting Falcon. 510th Fighter Squadron, deployed to Krzesiny Air Base, Poland, in support of Aviation Detachment rotation 17-3, exercise BALTOPS and exercise Saber Strike approaches the boom on a KC-135R Stratotanker over the Baltic Sea, June 13, 2017. BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
Air Force B-2 "Spirit" Stealth Bombers arrive in UK
3:53 PM6/12/2017
A B-2 Spirit deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., taxis the runway at RAF Fairford, U.K., June 9, 2017. The bomber assurance and deterrence missions conducted by the B-2s are representative of the U.S. commitment to their allies and enhancing regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Miguel Lara III)
Air Force B-2 "Spirit" Stealth Bombers arrive in UK
3:52 PM6/12/2017
A B-2 Spirit deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., approaches the runway at RAF Fairford, U.K., June 9, 2017. The B-2 routinely conducts bomber assurance and deterrence missions providing a flexible and vigilant long-range global strike capability, and is just one demonstration of the U.S. commitment to supporting global security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Miguel Lara III)
Air Force B-2 "Spirit" Stealth Bombers arrive in UK
3:50 PM6/12/2017
A B-2 Spirt deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., approaches the runway at RAF Fairford, U.K., June 9, 2017. The B-2 routinely conducts bomber assurance and deterrence missions providing a flexible and vigilant long-range global strike capability, and is just one demonstration of the U.S. commitment to supporting global security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Miguel Lara III)
Air Force B-2 "Spirit" Stealth Bombers arrive in UK
3:41 PM6/12/2017
A B-2 Spirit deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., lands on the flightline at RAF Fairford, U.K., June 9, 2017. The B-2 regularly conducts strategic bomber missions that demonstrate the credibility of the bomber forces to address a global security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Miguel Lara III)
Air Force B-2 "Spirit" Stealth Bombers arrive in UK
2:22 PM6/12/2017
Three B-52Hs from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and three B-1Bs from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., along with approximately 800 Airmen, are currently supporting exercises Saber Strike and BALTOPS in the U.S. European Command theater.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Blake Nickells, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, waits out a storm while conducting pre-flight inspections on a B-52H Stratofortress at Royal Air Force Fairford, U.K., June 6, 2017. Exercises such as BALTOPS enable bomber crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency and validate the bomber’s always-ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
A B-52H Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., lifts off the runway at Royal Air Force Fairford, U.K., June 6, 2017. Crew members aboard B-52s will participate in BALTOPS, an annual, multinational, maritime-focused exercise involving NATO allies and partner nations. BALTOPS provides bomber crews with opportunities to integrate capabilities with regional partners and is part of the United States’ commitment to supporting global security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Blake Nickells, right, and Alexander Dones, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chiefs, conduct pre-flight inspections on a B-52H Stratofortress at RAF Fairford, U.K., June 6, 2017. Exercises such as BALTOPS enable bomber crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency and validate the bomber’s always-ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Blake Nickells, left, and Alexander Dones, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chiefs, conduct preflight inspections on a B-52H Stratofortress at Royal Air Force Fairford, U.K., June 6, 2017. Exercises such as BALTOPS enable bomber crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency and validate the bomber’s always-ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Julian Tisdale, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, prepares inert, (non-explosive) Quick Strike MK 62 mines to be loaded into a B-52H Stratofortress at Royal Air Force Fairford, U.K., June 5, 2017. Bomber crews are participating in BALTOPS 2017, an annual, multinational, maritime-focused exercise designed to strengthen interoperability and cohesiveness between NATO allies and partnered nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Julian Tisdale, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load crew team member, inspects inert, (non-explosive) Quick Strike MK 62 mines at Royal Air Force Fairford, U.K., June 5, 2017. Bomber crews are participating in BALTOPS 2017, an annual, multinational, maritime-focused exercise designed to strengthen interoperability and cohesiveness between NATO allies and partnered nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Julian Tisdale, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load crew team member, releases a strap on an inert, (non-explosive) Quick Strike MK 62 mine at Royal Air Force Fairford, U.K., June 5, 2017. Bomber crews are participating in BALTOPS 2017, an annual, multinational, maritime-focused exercise designed to strengthen interoperability and cohesiveness between NATO allies and partnered nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
A B-52H Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., departs RAF Fairford, U.K., June 6, 2017 in support of Baltic Operations. BALTOPS provides an opportunity to exercise the increased joint capabilities of NATO and partner forces. The exercise will enable them to enhance their combat readiness so that, collectively, NATO can immediately respond to a range of real-world situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Ruiz, left, and Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Martin, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew members, transport an inert, (non-explosive) Quick Strike MK 62 mine into the bomb bay of a B-52H Stratofortress at RAF Fairford, England, June 5, 2017. Bomber crews participated in BALTOPS 2017, an annual, multinational, maritime-focused exercise designed to strengthen interoperability and cohesiveness between NATO allies and partnered nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Ruiz, left, and Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Martin, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew members, load inert, (non-explosive) Quick Strike MK 62 mines into a B-52 Stratofortress at Royal Air Force Fairford, June 5, 2017. Bomber crews are participating in BALTOPS 2017, an annual, multinational, maritime-focused exercise designed to strengthen interoperability and cohesiveness between NATO allies and partnered nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
The bombers are participating in the 45th edition of BALTOPS exercise which provides an opportunity for bomber crews to integrate with NATO allies and partner nations between June 1 and 16
Airmen from the 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron inspect a KC-135R Stratotanker during BALTOPS exercise at Powidz Air Base, Poland, June 6, 2017. BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
Capt. Chris Carr, 351st Air Refueling Squadron pilot, conducts a pre-flight check on a KC-135R Stratotanker during BALTOPS exercise at Powidz Air Base, Poland, June 6, 2017. BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
Airman 1st Class Andrew Winkler, left, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Eric Stevenson, right, 100th AMXS, inspect a KC-135R Stratotanker during BALTOPS exercise at Powidz Air Base, Poland, June 6, 2017. The U.S. Air Force is supporting this exercise with approximately 900 Airmen, eight F-16s from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, four KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, U.S. Air Force Reserve 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, one Air Force Reserve E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) from the 513th Aerial Control Group, B-52s from RAF Fairford, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma and Airmen from the 1st Combat Communication Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany are supporting this multinational exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
Capt. Chris Carr, 351st Air Refueling Squadron pilot, taxis in a KC-135R Stratotanker during BALTOPS exercise at Powidz Air Base, Poland, June 6, 2017. BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
Capt. Chris Carr, center, 351st Air Refueling Squadron pilot, conducts a crew brief with Capt. Jack Ryan, right, 351st ARS co-pilot and Senior Airman Steven Rappuhn, left, 351st ARS boom operator, prior to boarding a KC-135R Stratotanker during BALTOPS exercise at Powidz Air Base, Poland, June 6, 2017. The exercise, is designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, to strengthen combined response capabilities, as well as demonstrate resolve among Allied and Partner Nations' forces to ensure stability in, and if necessary defend, the Baltic Sea region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
BALTOPS, which began in 1972, provides an opportunity for NATO and regional partners to strengthen interoperability through a series of combined tactical maneuvers and scenarios.
BALTIC SEA (June 9, 2016) A United States Air Force B52 Stratofortress leads a formation of aircraft including two Polish air force F16 Fighting Falcons, four U.S. Air Force F16 Fighting Falcons, two German Eurofighter Typhoons and four Swedish Gripens over the Baltic Sea, June 9, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Babis)
The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy’s flagship, the HMS Ocean, positioned herself alongside other ships during the photo exercise showcasing the amphibious assets for BALTOPS 2015, June 8, 2015. The exercise is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Sarah E. Burns)
150612-N-ZZ999-0616 U.S. Marines load an amphibious assault vehicle aboard USS San Antonio LPD-17 June 12, during Baltic Operations 2015 (BALTOPS). BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve among allied and partnered forces to defend the Baltic region. (Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam C. Stapleton)
U.S. Army soldiers discuss field communications techniques and equipment with sailors aboard USS San Antonio LPD-17 June 12, during Baltic Operations 2015 (BALTOPS). BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve among allied and partnered forces to defend the Baltic region. (Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam C. Stapleton.)
US Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) amphibious crafts perform maneuvers during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) June 12, 2015. BALTOPS is an annual multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve among allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Timothy M. Ahearn/Released)