“We have a hugely valuable range space here,” said Roberson. “We are able to bring nine countries together, operate from three different locations and put an air war [exercise] together with over 100 aircraft.”     

During the visit, Roberson was briefed on operations by Col. Klute Erdstrom, Norbotten wing commander, observed mission takeoffs, recognized Airmen for their superior performance and spoke about the importance of ACE 15.

“The importance of these partners coming together is to ensure we can operate jointly down the road,” said Roberson. “The efforts of these countries during these two weeks are significant because it shows everyone what our combined capabilities are.”  

Roberson also discussed how the uniqueness of this type of exercise, in which more than 115 combat aircraft from different nations are flying together in 180,000 square kilometers of airspace, enhances the interoperability amongst Partners for Peace and NATO allies.

“One of the biggest advantages with ACE 15 is the airspace,” added Roberson. “We have the largest training space for us to operate in the European theater. Here we have been able to set up our communication systems and network to share data amongst all the aircraft in the three countries the exercise is operating from: Norway, Finland and Sweden.”

Participation in an exercise of this magnitude requires teamwork not only amongst U.S. Airmen but also between the other nations. Roberson highlighted and recognized the Airmen whose efforts contribute to interoperability, readiness enhancement and the building of U.S., allied and partner’s collective defense through this training.

“Our Airmen here are doing extremely well,” said Roberson. “It has been very positive from both sides, with nothing but help from our Swedish partners. It takes a whole team to make this happen. All of the interaction, understanding and building of relationships will pay big dividends for us if we have to work together in the future.”

KALLAX AIR BASE, Sweden
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Story by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez

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• F-16 Fighting Falcon’s with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy are parked on an apron at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 27, 2015 during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations participated in the exercise to help ensure interoperability and strengthen relationships with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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• U.S. Air Force fighter pilots with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, prepare for takeoff at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 2, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate in the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, prepares for takeoff at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 2, 2015, for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Keitha Whitaker Jr., 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, removes chocks from an apron at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 2, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate in the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• The 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 22, 2015, for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, and strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Buzzards kick off ACE 15
  
• A U.S. Air Force Airman with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, guides an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 22, 2015. The 510 FS “Buzzards” will take part in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will also participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, and strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Buzzards kick off ACE 15
  
• The 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 22, 2015, for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, and strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Buzzards kick off ACE 15
  
• The 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 22, 2015, for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, and strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Buzzards kick off ACE 15
  
• An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, takes off from Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 25, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, and strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Buzzards kick off ACE 15
  
• U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, wait for takeoff from Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 25, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, and strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Buzzards kick off ACE 15
  
• U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Keitha Whitaker Jr., 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief prepares an F-16 Fighting Falcon from Aviano Air Base, Italy, for takeoff at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 25, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Throughout the duration of the exercise, U.S., NATO and Partners for Peace militaries will work in a joint environment to deliver unified responses for simulated contingencies. ACE 15 is scheduled to continue until June 5, before concluding with its final air operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Buzzards kick off ACE 15
  
• A U.S. Air Force Airman with the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron watches several F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, take off from Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 25, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Throughout the duration of the exercise, U.S., NATO and Partners for Peace militaries will work in a joint environment to deliver unified responses for simulated contingencies. ACE 15 is scheduled to continue until June 5, before concluding with its final air operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Buzzards kick off ACE 15
  
• An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy takes off at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 26, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy takes off from Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 26, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael John Maxwell, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, inspects an F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, before takeoff at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 27, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• F-16 Fighting Falcon’s with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, are parked on an apron at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 27, 2015 during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Gordon, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, taxis an F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, May 29, 2015 during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• A U.S. Air Force Airman waits for an F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, after landing at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 1, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate during the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Bryce Quick, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, taxis an F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 1, 2015, during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. Nine nations will participate in the exercise to help ensure interoperability, strengthen relationships and engagements with NATO allies and Partners for Peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, speaks with 31st Fighter Wing Airmen at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 1, 2015. Roberson thanked Airmen for their hard work during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. During his visit, Roberson was briefed on the exercise, visited Airmen and observed mission takeoffs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, shakes hands with several Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 1, 2015. Roberson thanked Airmen for their hard work during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. During his visit, Roberson was briefed on the exercise, visited Airmen and observed mission takeoffs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Travis Edelman, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, at Kallax Air Base, Sweden June 1, 2015. Roberson thanked Airmen for their hard work during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. During his visit, Roberson was briefed on the exercise, visited Airmen and observed mission takeoffs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  
• Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, walks with 510th Fighter Squadron leadership and his staff during a visit at Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 1, 2015. Roberson thanked Airmen for their hard work during Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015. During his visit, Roberson was briefed on the exercise, visited Airmen and observed mission takeoffs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)
  Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015
  

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