Page 1 - Desert Lightning News 5-29-15

9RO1R Serving Southern Arizona’s military community, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base May 29, 2015

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D-M A-10s, Airmen complete training in Slovakia as part ofTSP

Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls

52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SLIAC AIR BASE, Slovakia -- Approximately (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls)
40 Airmen and four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from
the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, de- A U.S. Air Force crew chief from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron fills out paper work during a theater security package
ployed from Davis-Monthan AFB, completed a deployment at Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 22. More than 40 Airmen from the 354th EFS deployed to Slovakia to participate in a
micro deployment to Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May theater security package in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
25, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
between NATO partners as well as build stron- strengthen the military relationship we have
The small contingent trained to improve in- ger ties, said Theodore Sedgwick, U.S. Ambas- with Slovakia.”
teroperability in allied air operations and multina- sador to Slovakia.
tional close-air-support operations with the Slo- The TSP serves as part of a routine deployment
vakia air force during the week-long deployment. “The relationship between the Slovak military of additional fighter squadrons, support person-
and the American military here in Slovakia is nel and equipment aimed to bolster U.S. forces in
“This has enhanced our ability to work with an- very close and has been for many years,” said Europe on a rotating basis. Theater security pack-
other NATO country and their joint terminal at- the ambassador during a May 18 visit to Sliac age rotations have been occurring in the Pacific
tack controllers and see how our interoperability Air Base. “This is a terrific way to continue to region since 2004.
will go with their JTACs and our pilots perform-
ing CAS,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Ben Rudolphi,
354th EFS director of operations. “Their military
controllers both in the air and on the ground have
been a huge help to us with our training. They
have been open, made us feel at home here and
have really taken care of us.”

The 354th EFS is deployed to Campia Turzii,
Romania, but participates in these micro deploy-
ments across Europe to show NATO allies the
U.S. commitment to a peaceful and stable Eu-
rope as part of a theater security package.

“The part we got out of this training is knowing
that we have another partner nation that we can
operate with almost seamlessly with both their
tactics and the common language of close air sup-
port,” Rudolphi said.

These deployments increase interoperability

In this edition: 2015 Chiefs vs Eagles Softball Game

Summer Safety begins with risk management Pg. 3

Technical Sergeant promotion release delayed Pg. 3

Air Force moves to bring RPA mission relief Pg. 5

Free summertime museum visits to mil-families Pg. 6 The Chiefs, made up of chief master
sergeants, and the Eagles, made up of
That Others May Live: AFSOUTH goes to Brazil Pg. 8 colonels, pose for a photo after a charity
softball game in which the Chiefs won
VA begins Summer of Service volunteer program Pg. 10 23-12 at Thunderbolt Field, Davis-Mon-
than, Ariz., May 21. The two teams will
Davis-Monthan Local Briefs Pg. 12 collectively donate $355 to a charity.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Massey)