U.S. and Bulgarian Airmen launched Thracian Star 2012, a joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability, during a ceremony here April 18.
Brig. Gen. Tsanko Stoykov, the Bulgarian base commander, welcomed the 31st Fighter Wing Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, emphasizing the significance of the month-long exercise and wished them well during their deployment.
"Bilateral training is important for us at Graf Ignatievo because it gives us a chance to implement new tactics and procedures and increase our combat capabilities," said Stoykov. "It also gives us a chance to improve our interoperability with our NATO allies and partners."
Colonel David Walker, 31st Operations Group and Thracian Star 2012 detachment commander echoed his sentiments as he took the opportunity to thank the Bulgarians for allowing the men and women from the 31st FW the opportunity to train at their installation and acknowledged their long-standing partnership between the two nations.
"Your airfield, your facilities, and your airspace are fantastic for the joint bilateral training we plan to execute and I know it will make us both stronger air forces," said Walker.
While this is not the first time the Bulgarian air force has hosted American forces at Graf Ignatievo, Thracian Star 2012 boasts the largest contingent of Airmen to date they've hosted. In all, the 31st FW brought more than two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 500 Airmen--about twice the amount than any other U.S. Air Forces in Europe wing thus far.
"It is my personal opinion that this is not only the biggest deployment but also the best organized and executed deployment in the history of our bilateral training," said Stoykov. Walker agreed, stating, "We very rarely send two of our fighter squadrons to the same location so in both scope of training and size this is historic for us.
"This is yet another opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with the Bulgarians," said Walker. "The bilateral training we are conducting greatly benefits both nations and significantly improves the interoperability of both our air forces."
During the exercise, American forces will work closely with their Bulgarian counterparts, increasing interoperability between pilots, maintainers, joint terminal air controllers, firefighters and security forces Airmen.
"I hope we will not only learn more about our capabilities and improve our interoperability," Walker said when addressing the Bulgarians, "I also hope that by the end of this exercise you will consider us not only your allies but your friends."
Brig. Gen. Rumen Radev, Bulgarian air force deputy commander, agreed, stating that this is a perfect opportunity for Bulgarians and Americans to learn from one another.
"The F-16s from Aviano have written remarkable pages in our aviation history," Radev said. "In 2005, you were the first ones to open the door for realistic fighter training in the Bulgarian air force... During Viper Javelin 2005, we needed to prove that we could just fly together safely, [and], thanks to your support in Rodopi Javelin 2007 and other deployments, we proved that we can fly complex missions and do it in a fully compatible and safe manner. In this deployment, we will prove there is no limit to success when two nations share common values, stand firmly shoulder-by-shoulder and fly wing-by-wing."
It's been eight years since Bulgaria became a NATO member. Former President George W. Bush, accompanied by former NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, congratulated the prime ministers of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, during a White House ceremony held March 29, 2004. Since the joining the NATO alliance in 2004, Bulgaria and the United States continue to build upon their partnership.
In addition to joint training, the American and Bulgarian forces will team-up for a couple community service projects where they plan to renovate local parks and post-operation rooms at a local hospital during their off-duty time.
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A Bulgarian air force band plays the American national anthem during the Thracian Star 2012 opening ceremony April 18. Thracian Star 2012 is a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian air force. While this is not the first time the Bulgarian air force has hosted American forces at Graf Ignatievo; Thracian Star 2012 boasts the largest contingent of Airmen to date they’ve hosted.; In all; the 31st FW brought more than two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 500 Airmen—about twice the amount than any other U.S. Air Forces in Europe wing thus far. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Members of the 31st Fighter Wing and the Bulgarian air force pose for a group photo in front of an American F-16 and a Bulgarian MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft following the opening ceremony for Thracian Star 2012, April 18, 2012. Thracian Star 2012 is a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian air force. While this is not the first time the Bulgarian air force has hosted American forces at Graf Ignatievo, Thracian Star 2012 boasts the largest contingent of Airmen to date they’ve hosted. In all, the 31st FW brought more than two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 500 Airmen—about twice the amount than any other U.S. Air Forces in Europe wing thus far. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Bulgarian air force Sgt. Atanas Atanasov, life support technician, equips Capt. Kirby Sanford with gear needed for his MiG-29 flight April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. Sanford is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with the 555th Fighter Squadron based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons are deployed here in support of Thracian Star 2012, an exercise aimed at strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability between NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Capt. Kirby Sanford, (rear seat), a 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, prepares for his flight in a Bulgarian air force MiG 29 April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. During Thracian Star 2012, a bilateral training exercise, Aviano-based F-16 pilots are scheduled to spend more than 60 hours per week flying close air support, basic fighter and air combat maneuvers, tactical intercepts, defensive counter air and large force missions against Bulgarian MiG 21 and MiG 29 pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Bulgarian air force MiG 29 pilot, Capt. Petar Milkov, is fitted for life support equipment before his F-16 ride-along flight April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. More than two dozen aircraft and 500 Airmen are deployed here from Aviano in support of exercise Thracian Star 2012. Throughout the month-long bilateral training exercise, Aviano F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots are scheduled to spend more than 60 hours per week flying close air support, basic fighter and air combat maneuvers, tactical intercepts, defensive counter air and large force missions against Bulgarian MiG 21 and MiG 29 pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Airman 1st Class Troy Stewart, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels technician, refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon May 19 at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Star 2012. The 31st LRS was a key component to the flying mission during the coalition exercise, with the petroleum, oils and lubricants flight pumping approximately 40,000 gallons of aircraft fuel per day. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Bulgarian air force MiG 29 pilot, Capt. Petar Milkov, climbs into a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon for his ride-along flight April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria, while Col. David Walker, 31st Operations Group and Thracian Star 2012 detachment commander from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, reviews his pre-flight checklist. In order to increase interoperability between the two nations, U.S. and Bulgarian pilots are scheduled to spend more than 60 hours per week flying close air support, basic fighter and air combat maneuvers, tactical intercepts, defensive counter air and large force missions during the month-long exercise. Milkov was the first of several MiG 29 pilots to fly in an F-16 during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Col. David Walker, 31st Operations Group and Thracian Star 2012 detachment commander, and Capt. Petar Milkov, Bulgarian air force MiG 29 pilot, prepare to fly in an F-16 Fighting Falcon April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. More than 500 people are deployed here from the 31st Fighter Wing in support of the month-long coalition training exercise aimed at increasing interoperability between NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Col. David Walker, 31st Operations Group and Thracian Star 2012 detachment commander, and Capt. Petar Milkov, Bulgarian air force MiG 29 pilot, prepare to fly in an F-16 Fighting Falcon April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. Two fighter squadrons with more than two dozen aircraft and 500 personnel are deployed here from Aviano Air Base, Italy in support of exercise Thracian Star 2012. During the exercise, Aviano F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots are scheduled to spend more than 60 hours per week flying close air support, basic fighter and air combat maneuvers, tactical intercepts, defensive counter air and large force missions against Bulgarian MiG 21 and MiG 29 pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Capt. Kirby Sanford, 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, and Bulgarian air force Maj. Ilia Doychinov, 1st Fighter Squadron commander, walk towards a line of MiG 29 and MiG 21 aircraft April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. Sanford is deployed here from Aviano Air Base, Italy with more than 500 personnel in support of exercise Thracian Star 2012. The month-long training will provide the two air forces the opportunity to gain better insight into both the tactics of the pilots and the capabilities of the different aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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A Bulgarian air force MiG 29 pilot taxis past two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. Two fighter squadrons and more than 500 personnel are deployed here from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Thracian Star 2012, an exercise geared towards strengthening partnerships and increasing the interoperability between NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Senior Airman Annmarie Ringer, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs post-flight maintenance on an F-16 May 19 at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Star 2012. More than 500 U.S. Airmen and two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing here recently returned from a deployment to Bulgaria where they spent a month conducting bi-lateral training with Bulgarian Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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A Bulgarian air force MiG 29 pilot lands April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. Two U.S. fighter squadrons and more than 500 personnel are deployed here from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Thracian Star 2012. The month-long exercise is geared towards strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability between NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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A Bulgarian air force MiG 21 pilot taxis past U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. Two U.S. fighter squadrons and more than 500 personnel are deployed here from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Thracian Star 2012. The month-long exercise is geared towards strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability between NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Capt. Kirby Sanford, 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, prepares for his flight in a Bulgarian air force MiG 29 April 19, 2012, at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria. Sanford is deployed here from Aviano Air Base, Italy, along with more than 500 31st Fighter Wing personnel in support of exercise Thracian Star 2012. The coalition training is aimed at strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperibility between NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian air forces strengthen partnership through flight
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Staff Sgt. Alexander Wieczorek, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, prepares a 510th Fighter Squadron pilot for a launch May 20 at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Star 2012. Aircraft maintainers spent six or more hours performing post-flight maintenance on F-16s after each of the 556 sorties launched during the coalition training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Airman 1st Class Adam Geroulis, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, inspects munitions after loading them onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon May 20 at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Star 2012. Weapons loaders loaded more than 500 bombs during the coalition training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Capt. Mike Slotten, 510th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, is interviewed by Bulgarian media while volunteering at St. George's University April 21, 2012, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. U.S. Air Force members are deployed to Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, Bulgaria to participate in a coalition training exercise geared towards strengthening partnerships with NATO allies. More than 60 U.S. and Bulgarian Air Force members spent two days cleaning, painting and decorating 11 post-operation rooms in the pediatric surgery ward. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
U.S., Bulgarian airmen renovate hospital
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Staff Sgt. Alexander Wieczorek, a 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron tactical aircraft maintainer, explains the F-16 landing gear system to Warrant Officer Nayden Gosbodinov, a Bulgarian Air Force senior technician, here April 26, 2012. The integration of aircraft maintenance between U.S. and Bulgarian Airmen is just one part of Thracian Star 2012, a month-long training exercise aimed to build partnership and interoperability between United States and Bulgarian Air Forces. Wieczorek is one of more than 500 Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, deployed to Bulgaria. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Joseph Alonso) (Released)
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Aircraft maintainers from the Bulgarian and U.S. Air Forces received a better understanding of the F-16, MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft maintenance processes during Thracian Star 2012 here April 26. The integration of aircraft maintenance between U.S. and Bulgarian Airmen is just one part of Thracian Star 2012, a month-long training exercise aimed to build partnership and interoperability between the two nations. During the hands-on discussions, Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, deployed to Bulgaria as part of the exercise and their NATO allies learned how to better communicate and combine their strengths. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Joseph Alonso) (Released)
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Firefighters from the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron conduct training with their Bulgarian counterparts May 4 at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria during Thracian Star 2012. More than 500 U.S. Airmen and two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing here recently returned from a deployment to Bulgaria where they spent a month conducting bi-lateral training with Bulgarian Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/ 2nd Lt. Joseph Alonso)
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Two 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilots prepare their jets for de-arming after landing here April 17, 2012 from Aviano Air Base, Italy. More than two dozen aircraft and 500 U.S. Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB are taking part in Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian air force. This is the third time since 2007 that men and women from the 31st FW have conducted this type of training with the Bulgarians. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez Lopez, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, marshals in two 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilots after landing here April 17, 2012. Graf Ignatievo is now host to more than two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 500 U.S. Air Force personnel in support of Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian pilots, maintainers, joint terminal air controllers, firefighters and security forces Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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GRAF IGNATIEVO AIR FORCE BASE, Bulgaria -- Two 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilots taxi their jets down the runway April 17, 2012 after arriving from Aviano Air Base, Italy. More than two dozen aircraft and 500 U.S. Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB are taking part in Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian air force. This is the third time since 2007 that men and women from the 31st FW have conducted this type of training with the Bulgarians. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
Fighting Falcons land in Bulgaria
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Airman 1st Class Angel Guerrero, 31st Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs post-flight maintenance on an F-16 after landing here April 17, 2012. Graf Ignatievo is now host to more than two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 500 U.S. Air Force personnel in support of Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian pilots, maintainers, joint terminal air controllers, firefighters and security forces Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Staff Sgt. David Ambrusko, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels service controller, refuels an F-16 after landing at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria April 17, 2012. Graf Ignatievo is now host to more than two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons and approximately 550 U.S. Air Force personnel in support of Thracian Star 2012. During the month-long training exercise, American forces will work closely with their Bulgarian counterparts, increasing interoperability between pilots, maintainers, joint terminal air controllers, firefighters and security forces Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Crew chiefs from the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform post-flight maintenance on a 510th Fighter Squadron F-16 here April 17, 2012 after arriving from Aviano Air Base, Italy. More than two dozen aircraft and 500 U.S. Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB are taking part in Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian air force. This is the third time since 2007 that men and women from the 31st FW have conducted this type of training with the Bulgarians. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Tech. Sgt. Brent Watkins, Airman Gage Boardingham and Airman 1st Class Corey Loesch, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, test a barrier engagement on an F-16 after landing here April 17, 2012. Graf Ignatievo is now host to more than two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 500 U.S. Air Force personnel in support of Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian pilots, maintainers, joint terminal air controllers, firefighters and security forces Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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A 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot taxis past a line of Bulgarian air force MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft April 17, 2012 after arriving from Aviano Air Base, Italy. More than two dozen aircraft and 500 U.S. Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB are taking part in Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian air force. This is the third time since 2007 that men and women from the 31st FW have conducted this type of training with the Bulgarians. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Maj. Metodi Orlov, (left), a Bulgarian air force MiG-29 pilot, welcomes Maj. Matthew Brockhaus, (right), an F-16 pilot deployed with the 555th Fighter Squadron out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, to Bulgaria on April 17, 2012. Brockhaus is one of more than 500 U.S. Airmen taking part in Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian air force. This is the third time since 2007 that men and women from the 31st Fighter Wing out of Aviano AB have conducted this type of training with the Bulgarians. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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A 31st Fighter Wing F-16 pilot prepares his jet for de-arming after landing here April 17, 2012. Graf Ignatievo is now host to more than two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 500 U.S. Air Force personnel in support of Thracian Star 2012, a month-long joint training exercise focused on building partnerships and increasing interoperability with the Bulgarian pilots, maintainers, joint terminal air controllers, firefighters and security forces Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
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Staff Sgt. Stefan Zapata, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics specialist, prepares a 510th Fighter Squadron pilot for a launch May 19 at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Star 2012. Members of the 31st AMXS helped launch 556 sorties during the coalition training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Katherine Windish)
