U.S. jets practiced fighter-to-fighter communications and integration procedures with Bulgarian, Romanian and Canadian fighters
United States F-15 Strike Eagles have completed their second set of forward deployments to Bulgaria and Romania, as NATO allies enhance cooperation across sea and air during exercise Castle Forge.
Two different groups of the U.S. fighter jets forward deployed from Greece, with one group operating in Romania while the other in Bulgaria
The NATO newsroom reported that the training exercise allowed aircrew and support staffs to perform rapid movements between airfields and practice logistical operations at these new locations.
The exercise provided opportunities for air-maritime integration and the groups practiced fighter-to-fighter communications and integration procedures with Bulgarian, Romanian and Canadian fighters.
NATO Allied Air Command Commander General Jeff Harrigian said “Castle Forge continues to demonstrate the value of working alongside allies, not only for airpower but across the entire spectrum of military operations”.
“We are proving that our forces are more flexible, more cohesive, and more capable when we train together,” General Jeff Harrigian added.
The U.S. Embassy in Romania posted on November 8, “U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, have completed the second forward dispersals of operation Castle Forge, U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa’s premier Agile Combat Employment exercise that brings NATO allies and components together to demonstrate a credible and reassuring presence in the Black Sea region.”
During a protected entry mission, the U.S. 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 week-long detachment enabled the F-15s to work with U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet ships, the USS Porter and USS Mount Whitney, already operating in the Black Sea.
According to the NATO statement, the F-15 Strike Eagles arrived in Europe for Castle Forge on October 6, 2021. The fighter jets conducted training alongside the Hellenic Air Force at Larissa Air Base, Greece, from October 11-17. From October 18-25, the subsets of the unit then forward deployed to Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria, and Borcea AB, Romania, 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. After participating in exercises the fighter jets returned to Larissa Air Force Base in Greece.
