RAF Mildenhall shares capabilities with NATO partners

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christine Halan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
SON SAN JUAN AIR BASE, Spain --  The 100th Air Refueling Wing is providing refueling capabilities to roughly 130 aircraft from naval and air forces from approximately 10 nations during Exercise Trident Juncture 2015.

Airmen from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron, based at RAF Mildenhall, England, are specifically working closely with the Spanish and German air forces, learning and showing each nation specific abilities over the three week exercise.

"The whole purpose of this exercise is to develop and demonstrate the capabilities of an integrated NATO, and to strengthen those ties of friendship amongst our allies," said Capt. Joshua Fuller, 100th Operations Group instructor pilot and Exercise Trident Juncture 2015 U.S. Tanker Task Force detachment commander. "The German air force, Spanish air force, and U.S. Air Force at Son San Juan decided that the best way to accomplish that goal is to set up a combined operations center.  It wouldn't make much sense to come from all over Europe to one location, but then insulate ourselves in geographically separated cells."

The three forces operate as a truly integrated single operations center to execute the Air Tasking Order. 

"For a lot of us, this is the first opportunity we've had to work so closely with our international partners," Fuller said. "I know that there have been some growing pains on all sides, but it's been extremely rewarding for me to see the evolution of this international team as it increasingly integrates creating its own unique rhythm.  This is truly a sight to behold."

The KC-135 Stratotankers have provided 190,000 pounds of fuel to approximately 50 receivers so far. Aircrew members have conducted nine flights, totaling approximately 55 hours of flight time.

The German air force members conduct missions with the Airbus A-310 Multi Role Tanker Transport, while the Spanish air force members from the 49th Airbase Wing conduct search and rescue missions with their fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft and maintain alert status in case of an in-flight emergency.

"It felt really good to be able to show a NATO ally one of the major U.S. capabilities. The Spanish aircraft are not boom equipped, so it was nice to acquaint them with the force extension capabilities that we have," said Master Sgt. Larry Nahalea, 351st Air Refueling Squadron boom operator.

"The most challenging part of the flight with the Spanish was the ability to communicate with them. We were trying to give them the best experience possible and that was quite a challenge with the language barrier."

Even with the challenges faced by the multi-national force, the individuals involved in the exercise have made great strides to overcome obstacles and work together as partners.

"It's a pleasure to be part of an international team," said Maj. Estrella Garrido, Spanish air force 49th Airbase Wing Support Group commander. "Despite language barriers, all are accomplishing assigned missions, and that is the most important thing."

The exercise will run until early November; Airmen from the 100th ARW are scheduled to fly almost daily to provide critical refueling capabilities for exercise participants throughout that time.