Exercise strenghtens allied bond

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chrisitan Sullivan
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  

During the month of June, Minot Airmen participated in an overseas exercise in Fairford, England, known as BALTOPS.

 

“Most of the training was air-to-air training,” said Captain David Miller, 23rd Bomb Squadron department of training member. “We did stand-off and direct attack missions, as well as oceanic warfare.”

 

Alongside Minot and other Global Strike Command bases, several allied forces took part in the exercise as well.

 

“We had Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, France, Germany and England,” Miller said. “All of those either participated or contributed.”

 

Minot participates in this annual exercise to help deter enemies and assure our allies.

 

“It’s important that we prove to our allies, our enemies and to ourselves that we can work together,” Miller said. “It’s also important that we build tactics and procedure for large-scale integration.”

 

Col. Kieran Denehan, former 5th Operations Group commander, took part in BALTOPS and knows the importance of strengthening the bond between the U.S. and its allies.

 

“These exercises with allies, some of whom the U.S. has been allies with for decades, allow the 5th Bomb Wing to connect personally, professionally and tactically,” Denehan said. “They also demonstrated the B-52Hs ability to assure allies and deter potential adversaries.”

 

Lt. Col. Mike Maginness, 23rd Bomb Squadron commander, lead the exercise and noted a few big feats during the 5th Bomb Wing commander’s call.

 

“Within 24 hours of arrival we had the ramp secured, we have a flight doctor on station who’s coordinating medical treatment, and some cultural opportunities planned,” Maginness said. “One of the first things we did was air shows, and that’s the assurance part of assert and deter. We did five air shows and in those air shows, over one and a half million people personally saw an American B-52 fly overhead.”

 

Miller said continuing to take part in exercises like these can strengthen not only Minot, but the Air Force as a whole.

 

“Continuing to participate in BALTOPS and other international exercises is really important,” Miller said. “Just as iron sharpens iron, working together our combat edges sharpen for all nations that take part.”