Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, based at Ramstein Air Force Base in southwestern Germany, have deployed to Romania. While in Romania, the 37th will be participating in bilateral exercise, Carpathian Summer at Otopeni Air Base. Henri Coandă International Airport is located in Bucharest and is Romania’s busiest international airport. Carpathian Summer will help enhance interoperability and readiness with Romania by conducting combined air operations.
The 37th Airlift Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, kicked off exercise Carpathian Summer 2016 on May 9 at Otopeni AB.
The 11-day, off-station training is a bilateral exercise to enhance interoperability and readiness with Romania by conducting combined air operations.
According to 1st Lt. Mark Alpert, the 37th AS executive officer, the exercise demonstrates the U.S. commitment and close cooperation with NATO partners.
“We have a lot to learn from each other,” Alpert said. “We have a great relationship with the Romanians and have been working with them since 1996. It’s been beneficial for both of our armed forces.”
U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Gregory Flores (right), a loadmaster with the 37th Airlift Squadron (AS), and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Ryan Gorby, a crew chief with the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS), ensure proper engine start up during pre-flight checks on a C-130J Hercules prior to take off from Ramstein Air Base, Germany on Apr. 26, 2016. (DoD News photo by TSgt Brian Kimball)
“We have a lot to learn from each other,” Alpert said. “We have a great relationship with the Romanians and have been working with them since 1996. It’s been beneficial for both of our armed forces.”
About 80 personnel from the 37th AS and three C-130J Super Hercules are participating in the exercise.
Airmen will be improving their training in areas such as high-quality threats, unimproved-landing zone qualifications and more.
According to Airman 1st Class Daniel Ehrsam, a 86th Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster, the opportunities gained through the exercise are invaluable.