The 494th Fighter Squadron returns from Romania

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The 494th Fighter Squadron returned to RAF Lakenheath from Campia Turzii, Romania, where they took part in Strike Lance 2009, a recurring flying training deployment, during which U.S. Air Force Airmen trained side-by-side with their Romanian Air Force counterparts.

While there, the 494th FS flew more than 160 sorties totaling more than 220 flying hours, including 26 sorties with the Romanian Air Force, and dropped more than 100 inert munitions on a neighboring bombing range.

"The fantastic weather here, the proximity of the bombing range to the base, and the less restrictive airspace have enabled us to perform more training per flight hour," said Lt. Col. Bunnell, 494th FS commander. "However, our successes in this exercise would not have been possible without the superb support of our operations and maintenance
counterparts in the Romanian Air Force."

Not only was the 494th FS able to accomplish their flying mission, they were also able to work with fellow NATO allies to increase their experience and interoperability.

"The exercise was an awesome opportunity to fight with and against a legendary aircraft: the MiG-21," said Capt. Ciriaco Villarreal, 494th FS weapon system officer. "It was good to get out and experience a different culture and air force. We both benefited from the experience."

This exercise was the first time the 494th FS has flown with and fought against the MiG-21.

"This is the first of two training events this year here at Campia Turzii and the sixth in Romania in the last two years," said Brig. Gen. Richard Johnston, Director of Plans, Programs and Analyses, Head Quarters United States Air Force in Europe during his speech at the end of the exercise. "We're already looking forward to returning here in October and again in 2010."

With the success of exercises, both past and present under their belts, USAFE Airmen can look forward to continuing their cooperation with a most gracious host: Romania.