Going Dutch: Wing Flies In Major NATO Exercise

摘要

Nearly 180 airmen and several F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 148th Fighter Wing deployed to Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, earlier this month to participate in a 12-day NATO exercise. Frisian Flag allowed pilots and ground crews from France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United States to train on operational tactics with multiple coalition partners. "The exercise allows us to train alongside our European allies and fly with several types of fighter aircraft to ensure readiness for a variety of missions," said Lt. Col. Paul Thornton, the commander of the wing's 179th Fighter Squadron. "During Frisian Flag, we are able to practice and be exposed to multination air-to-air, surface-to-air threat scenarios as we would in a wartime scenario; vital training that isn't easily accessible back home."