NEWS
FEATURE
NEWS
LIFESTYLES
86 Maintenance Squadron Airman earns Airlifter of the Week, Page 3
Project NEXUS tests developing technologically ready Airmen, Page 5
Public Health Command Europe welcomes new commander, Page 10
Annweiler honors Richard the Lionheart today to Sunday, Page 12
July 26, 2019 | Volume 43, Number 29
Read the KA online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
US Air Force aircraft deploy to Baltics, Poland for Rapid Forge
by Capt. Selena Rodts U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs U.S. Air Force fighter and mobility aircraft forward deployed to bases in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from July 16 to 23, as part of Operation Rapid Forge, a
U.S. Air Forces in Europe-led mission to enhance readiness and test our ability to function at locations other than main operating bases. The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability with NATO allies and partners, improve readiness and sharpen operational capabilities. At Powidz Air Base, Poland,
F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, F-15E Strike Eagles, C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and multifunctional Airmen conducted rapid refueling and re-arming using inert munitions. This exercises the Air Force’s ability to rapidly deploy in smaller, more efficient and agile teams to austere and potentially
Ramstein Airmen, Polish community work together
U.S. Airmen and students from Polish primary and secondary schools share their languages with each other near Powidz Air Base, Poland, July 13. The students, Airmen, and other community members participated in basketball, a road clean up, and a barbeque.
Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft, deployed from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, sit on a runway during Operation Rapid Forge on Powidz Air Base, Poland, July 16. This is the first time that U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft have landed in Poland. Rapid Forge is a U.S. Air Forces in Europe-led mission to enhance readiness and test the ability to function at locations other than the main air bases. Photo by Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
contested areas. Under the multifunctional Airman construct, Airmen are able to perform multiple roles, e.g. weapons loaders could drive a refueling truck, security forces defenders could refuel a jet, and avionics specialists could provide See TRAINING, Page 2
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Jimmie D. Pike 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POWIDZ AIR BASE, POLAND Smiling youths filled a school gym in Poland as new friends from across the world arrived to teach and play basketball with primary and secondary school students. Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing deployed to the 52nd Operations Group, Detachment 1, at Powidz Air Base, Poland, and spent their free time engaging with a nearby local community on July 13. “I’ve had the opportunity to work See POLISH COMMUNITY, Page 6