Kaiserslautern American
October 1, 2021 AVDET 21-4 from Page 1 members conducted more than 260 paratroopers drops, two Polish zodiac boat water drops, and a humvee drop over six drop zones. Altogether, over 55,000 pounds of equipment were dropped, and over 2500 training events were accomplished, according to Wood. “When we do things like AvDet 21-4 we’re not just operating within our squadron like we are used to,” said Wood. “Instead we come out here and have an entire maintenance compliment, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, 435th Contingency Response Group, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron and many others. This essentially gives us a miniature wing to operate.” The 435th CRG provided operational guidance to Polish special forces members during AvDet 21-4 as they demonstrated their ability to open an airfield, offload assets and prepare a rapid and safe departure of aircraft. “The Polish have consistently increased their capabilities as these rotations have occurred,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Supernault, 435th CRG air traffic controller “Every time we come out here we incorporate and cooperate with the Polish more and more, this time around they’re dropping their people, their equipment and using their aircraft.” In addition to the 435th CRG
contributions, the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assisted in a myriad of operations during the exercise “Our job is to come out here and generate aircraft for our operators,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Clark, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent. “We are responsible to ensure these aircraft are safe to fly for our aircrew.” The 86th AMXS worked around the clock ensuring repairs were being made and operations were running smoothly, said Clark. “My most memorable experience is seeing our maintenance team generate aircraft and work with our operators and come together as a full team,” said Clark. “Even working with the Polish Air Force, it has just been ‘one team, one fight’ the whole time.” Aviation Detachment Rotations are annual events that have occurred across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. U.S. aircraft and Airmen have participated in these rotations since 2012. “Working with the Polish has been incredible, they have been extremely professional and capable,” said Wood. “There’s a lot of interoperability that gets done outside of exercises like this one, but this is when we really get to showcase our capabilities and the capabilities of our partners and allies.”
A Polish air force MiG-29 jet fighter aircraft, assigned to the Polish air force’s 1st Tactical Air Wing, flies near a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron during Aviation Detachment Rotation 21-4 Sept. 21. Performing maneuvers with allied fighter jets prepares aircrew for scenarios where they may come into contact with enemy aircraft. Photo by Senior Airman Taylor Slater
Page 3
(Above) A U.S. Air Force Airman looks through a bubble on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft out of Ramstein Air Base at Polish air force MiG-29 jet fighter aircraft assigned to the Polish air force’s 1st Tactical Air Wing during Aviation Detachment Rotation 21-4, at Powidz, Poland, Sept. 21. The bubble gives Airmen a 360 degree view so they can spot threats while in the air. Photo by Airman Edgar Grimaldo
A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, flies over Polish airspace during Aviation Detachment Rotation 21-4 Sept. 21. AvDet 21-4 is a bilateral training exercise with the Polish air force to enhance partner interoperability, maintain joint readiness and reinforce our commitment to supporting our regional allies. Photo by Senior Airman Taylor Slater
