A photo news, released on Homestead Air Reserve Baseīs public website:
Original caption:
Reservists prep for two-week deployment to Bulgaria
5/17/2008 - 482nd Mission Support Squadron members process reservists through a deployment line to ensure proper documentation in preparation for a two-week deployment to train with the Bulgarian Air Force on May 17. Next month, about 200 reservists will deploy to Bulgaria for the exercise as an aviation package with pilots, operations, maintenance and support personnel, which include fuels, avionics, and administration specialists, among others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer)
Bulgaria Defense Minister Flies in US F-16 Fighter
11 June 2008, Wednesday
Bulgaria's Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev flew Wednesday for 45 minutes in a US Air Force F-16 fighter.
Tsonev visited the Graf Ignatievo air base in southern Bulgaria, where 10 US F-16 fighters are taking part in joint drills with the 15 MiG-21 and MiG 29 fighters of the Bulgarian Air Force.
The fighter the Bulgarian Minister flew was piloted by officer Jose Monteagudo from 93rd Squadron of the US Air Force.
"The feeling is incredible", Tsonev said after the flight. He was praised by the US pilot for his courage and was presented with a certificate for carrying out a F-16 flight and an emblem of the 93rd Squadron of the US Air Force.
Just to let you now that Mister Viper (Henrik) and I are going to Bulgaria this coming Saturday, watching the last week off the exercise Mako Javelin 08 with the 482FW/93FS at Graf Ignatievo.
So on Monday we hope we can supply you all with serials and some photos, for you to enjoy.
Best regards
Martin Pagh
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Posted: Jun 12, 2008 - 01:42 AM
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Enjoy the TDY, I was there last Oct when I was still at Aviano, was a great couple of weeks. Hope you stay at the big Plovdiv Hotel, its pretty decent, let me know if you want the location of a few good bars Oh yeah by the way, hope you have broken in boots, all the spots for the jets are pretty spread out, our support "haz" and the small building we used for MOC and the APG office was quite a walk.
Thank You, J.J., my dear old friend!! I am VERY excited as I just now learned that also 10 LA ANG F-15s (5 F-15As and 5 F-15Cs) have landed at RAF Lakenheath en route to Bulgaria for the exercise as well!!
It is so cool - I look foward to show You all the photos of this visit!!
Sounds very great, Henrik! Looks like an unexpected FULL HOUSE at Graf Ignatievo Air Base. And you are just in the middle of it. As a journalist, I full understand your enthusiasm. You are PRESENT to document it! What a lucky Danish guy...
Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev (left) stands with Lt. Col. Jose Monteagudo, 482nd FW, before an incentive flight in USAF F-16D block 30 #86-0053 on June 11th, 2008, at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria. Colonel Monteagudo and 10 F-16s from the 93rd FS at Homestead ARB are at Graf Ignatievo AB to particpate in a joint drill with 15 Bulgarian MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighters. Minister Tsenov visited the base to see how the joint drill was progressing.
Lt. Col. Jose Monteagudo, 482nd FW, prepares to take Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev (backseat) on an incentive flight in USAF F-16D block 30 #86-0053 on June 11th, 2008, at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria. Colonel Monteagudo and 10 F-16s from the 93rd FS at Homestead ARB are at Graf Ignatievo AB to particpate in a joint drill with 15 Bulgarian MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighters. Minister Tsenov visited the base to see how the joint drill was progressing.
Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev (backseat) talks with Bulgarian Gen. Rumen Radev, before an incentive flight in USAF F-16D block 30 #86-0053 on June 11th, 2008, at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria. American aircrews and 10 F-16s from the 93rd FS at Homestead ARB are at Graf Ignatievo AB to particpate in a joint drill with 15 Bulgarian MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighters. Minister Tsenov visited the base to see how the joint drill was progressing. General Radev is the Graf Ignatievo AB commander.
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Henrik wrote:
I am VERY excited as I just now learned that also 10 LA ANG F-15s (5 F-15As and 5 F-15Cs) have landed at RAF Lakenheath en route to Bulgaria for the exercise as well!!
Got some serials for the 122nd FS, 159th FW/Louisiana ANG 'JZ' ('Bayou Militia') arrivals at the Heath:
Hello Georgi, we will be very happy to meet you tommorow at the easten end off Graf Ignatievo, we are on the right side off the road in the gras behinde the trees when you are driving against Karlovo.
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Henrik, Martin,
As I suspect, you are outside the base, so please be careful because the Military Police has patrols all over the base and there are "No photograph" signs on the road. I am entering the base between 9-10 am tomorrow. I have no idea how long I am staying at Graf, but if I see around I let you know who I am. By the way where do you stay at Plovdiv and did you rent a car?
One of my friends is going to take some shots outside the fence, so you may meet him 90% sure.
All best and good luck!
Georgi Petkov
Last edited by Airfan on Jun 16, 2008 - 08:00 PM; edited 1 time in total
martinpagh
Posted: Jun 16, 2008 - 07:56 PM
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Hello Georgi.
Can we come with you inside the base whit you or is it not possible.
we are there around 0830 tommorow morning.
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Oh yeah by the way, hope you have broken in boots, all the spots for the jets are pretty spread out, our support "haz" and the small building we used for MOC and the APG office was quite a walk.
