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Nov 10 2021

NATO Allies cooperate across sea and air during successful Castle Forge Deployment

RAMSTEIN, Germany – US F-15 Strike Eagles have successfully completed their second set of forward deployments to Bulgaria and Romania during exercise Castle Forge, returning to Greece on November 6, 2021.

Two groups of US fighters forward deployed from Larissa Air Base (AB), Greece with one group operating in Bulgaria and the other in Romania. This training exercise allowed aircrew and support staffs to perform rapid movements between airfields and practise logistical operations at these new locations. In addition to practicing fighter-to-fighter communications and integration procedures with Bulgarian, Romanian and Canadian fighters, the exercise provided opportunities for air-maritime integration.

We are proving that our forces are more flexible, more cohesive, and more capable when we train together

"Castle Forge continues to demonstrate the value of working alongside allies, not only for airpower but across the entire spectrum of military operations," said General Jeff Harrigian, NATO Allied Air Command Commander. "We are proving that our forces are more flexible, more cohesive, and more capable when we train together," he added.

Over the week-long detachment, the US F-15s were able to work with U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet ships, the USS Porter and USS Mount Whitney, who were operating in the Black Sea. During a protected entry mission, the F-15Es integrated with a Greek EMB-145 and a Turkish E-7T Peace Eagle, which were providing airborne surveillance and command and control.

The Strike Eagles arrived in Europe for Castle Forge on October 6, 2021. They initially conducted training alongside the Hellenic Air Force at Larissa Air Base, Greece, from October 11-17, 2021. Subsets of the unit then forward deployed to Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria, and Borcea AB, Romania, from October 18-25, 2021 to exercise Agile Combat Employment and conduct vital training alongside Allied air forces. The F-15Es returned to Larissa AB, Greece before launching the second forward dispersals to the same locations. The aircraft have now returned to Larissa AB where they continue operations alongside the Hellenic Air Force.

U.S. Air Force Airman First class Alexa Clutter, 336th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, performs post flight checks on an F-15E Strike Eagle after their arrival in Bulgaria during operation Castle Forge at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria, Nov. 1, 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. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Blair
The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney is moored starboard side in Gaeta, Italy April 13, 2021. Archived Photo by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Barnes

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

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