DAEGU AIR BASE, Republic of Korea –
The 8th Fighter Wing deployed four F-16 Fighting Falcons to Daegu Air Base to
participate in Exercise Buddy Wing 15-2 alongside the ROK Air Force's 11th
Fighter Wing, Feb. 3-6, 2015.
Buddy Wing exercises are part of a combined
fighter exchange program designed to improve interoperability between USAF and
ROKAF fighter squadrons. These exercises are conducted multiple times throughout
the year in order to promote cultural awareness and sharpen combined combat
capabilities.
"Buddy Wing exercises give us an opportunity to fly
alongside ROKAF pilots in realistic training scenarios," said Maj. Dean Laansma,
80th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations and Buddy Wing 15-2
detachment commander. "We are enhancing our ability to operate together and
learn from each other, which in return, strengthens our combined
efforts."
During flying operations, Wolf Pack pilots coordinate with 11
FW pilots on all aspects of training including mission planning, briefing,
flying and debriefing.
According to Capt. Daniel Duncan, 80 FS pilot and
Buddy Wing 15-2 project officer, this exercise is vital to the readiness of the
ROK-U.S. Alliance to ensure not only a better understanding of each other's
forces, but to learn from each other's strengths.
"What's unique about
this iteration of Buddy Wing is that we get to train with ROKAF F-15K Slam
Eagles," said Duncan. "This provides us an unparalleled opportunity to learn how
to operate not only with ROKAF, but with dissimilar aircraft."
If we are
going to be ready together, we must train together, he added.
After 60
years, the ROK-U.S. Alliance continues to be one of the longest standing and
most successful alliances in modern history.
"This invaluable training
opportunity increases the confidence, capabilities and cohesion between allies
and gives all participants a realistic idea of how we would operate together in
a real-world situation," Laansma said. "I look forward to exchanging ideas and
tactics this week."