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555th Fighter Squadron participates in SAR exercises
October 8, 2004 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, joined forces with troops from one of NATO's newest member nations Oct. 4-7 to improve the way they rescue downed pilots. The training was part of Adriatic Rescue 04, a U.S.-Slovenian combat search-and-rescue (SAR) exercise.
The exercise consisted of practicing full-spectrum combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) operations starting from the time a pilot hits the ground to the point when he is extracted from the area and returned home safely.
Teams from Slovenia's 15th and 1st brigades worked both with and against members of the 31st Fighter Wing from Aviano to make the experience as realistic as possible. Croatian, Macedonian and Albanian representatives also observed the training to better understand how they can fit into NATO operations.
Aviano sent F-16CG Fighting Falcons from the 555thTriple Nickel squadron to escort Slovenian helicopters into the pickup zone. Slovenian PC-9M aircraft pilots in turn acted as aggressors, or red air, and tried to shoot down the helicopters. The Vipers practiced close-air support, low-altitude operations training, search and rescue, and air-to-air combat training.
For the exercise, Slovenian pilots were not only in their own aircraft, but also riding with Aviano F-16 pilots performing escort to give them a different perspective on conducting CSAR air support.
Slovenia became a NATO member this year, as well as a member of the European Union.
555th FS older version (Jon Somerville collection)
Teams from Slovenia's 15th and 1st brigades worked both with and against members of the 31st Fighter Wing from Aviano to make the experience as realistic as possible. Croatian, Macedonian and Albanian representatives also observed the training to better understand how they can fit into NATO operations.
Aviano sent F-16CG Fighting Falcons from the 555thTriple Nickel squadron to escort Slovenian helicopters into the pickup zone. Slovenian PC-9M aircraft pilots in turn acted as aggressors, or red air, and tried to shoot down the helicopters. The Vipers practiced close-air support, low-altitude operations training, search and rescue, and air-to-air combat training.
For the exercise, Slovenian pilots were not only in their own aircraft, but also riding with Aviano F-16 pilots performing escort to give them a different perspective on conducting CSAR air support.
Slovenia became a NATO member this year, as well as a member of the European Union.
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