Romanian officers train at RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
RAF LAKENHEATH, England --  Five logistics readiness officers from the Romanian Air Force visited RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall's logistic readiness squadrons Feb. 24 to 29 as part of an exchange program designed to increase the efficiency for logistical operations through mutual training.

While here, the Romanian officers observed the 48th LRS and 100th LRS build pallets, balance cargo weight, load cargo onto several different types of lifts, and train Airmen on logistical procedures.

"We had an action-packed week and showed them logistics support operations from logistics planning to movement execution, along with the foreign object damage prevention program and battle damage repairs, here at RAF Lakenheath and at RAF Mildenhall," said Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Weyhrauch, 48th LRS chief. "We took advantage of our close locations to show them operations at a fighter base and at a heavy tanker base."

According to Romanian Air Force Lieutenant Commander Mihail Oanta, the Romanian officers came here to observe how the U.S. Air Force does its logistic planning so they can improve their operations.

The program allows for the Romanian officers to observe our logistic operations and vise versa.

"We were really impressed by the 48th LRS's experience and knowledge," said Commander Oanta. "The 48th LRS has an amazing system with in depth procedures."

According to Commander Oanta, the Romanian officers have learned a great deal about the U.S. Air Force's logistic operations. They hope to incorporate much of what they learned here into their operations back home and will continue to learn from the 48th LRS in the following week when RAF Lakenheath sends two members to Romania.

According to Chief Weyhrauch, this program is very important to the success of our militaries and another way of making NATO that much stronger.

"This is even more important in today's military while we are at war fighting terrorism. Joint and combined military operations make for even better success, and take the load off just one service or one country trying to do it all," he said.