48th Fighter Wing strengthens partnerships during Ocean Sky

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Luke Brisson, left, 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron avionics journeyman, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Scott Konecny, 492nd FGS assistant dedicated crew chief, salute during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria, Spain, Oct. 20, 2025. Ocean Sky is an annual exercise that trains participants through air-to-air missions in a demanding environment to strengthen military relationships, improve interoperability, and enhance joint and combined operational procedures among Allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

48th Fighter Wing strengthens partnerships during Ocean Sky

Three German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons fly during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria, Spain, Oct. 20, 2025. The exercise included members from Germany, Greece, Portugal, U.S., India and Spain and was designed to enhance readiness, refine compatibility and strengthen combined operational procedures between Allies and partners in a complex training environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

48th Fighter Wing strengthens partnerships during Ocean Sky

Two Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons fly in tandem during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria, Spain, Oct. 21, 2025. The exercise included members from Germany, Greece, Portugal, U.S., India and Spain and was designed to enhance readiness, refine compatibility and strengthen combined operational procedures between Allies and partners in a complex training environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

48th Fighter Wing strengthens partnerships during Ocean Sky

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and weapon systems officer assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron taxi during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria, Spain, Oct. 20, 2025. The exercise included members from Germany, Greece, Portugal, U.S., India and Spain and was designed to enhance readiness, refine compatibility and strengthen combined operational procedures between Allies and partners in a complex training environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

48th Fighter Wing strengthens partnerships during Ocean Sky

Two Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons fly alongside a Spanish Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria, Spain, Oct. 23, 2025. This annual exercise is designed to increase the operational proficiency of pilots, aircrew and air defense personnel through realistic, high-tempo air-to-air missions, supporting continued efforts to strengthen partnerships, alliances and combat readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

48th Fighter Wing strengthens partnerships during Ocean Sky

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Carlos Barron, 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, teaches A1C Bryce Klacynski, 48th Communications Squadron infrastructure technician, how to conduct a preflight inspection on a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria, Spain, Oct. 27th, 2025. During the exercise, personnel participated in cross-specialty mentoring to increase interoperability and improve combat readiness. The exercise included members from Germany, Greece, Portugal, U.S., India and Spain and was designed to enhance readiness, refine compatibility and strengthen combined operational procedures between Allies and partners in a complex training environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

48th Fighter Wing strengthens partnerships during Ocean Sky

Published Nov. 17, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis
48th Fighter Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --

Airmen of the 48th Fighter Wing participated in Exercise Ocean Sky Oct. 20-31.

This annual invitational large force exercise, hosted by the Spanish Air Force, trained participants in air-to-air missions in a highly demanding operational environment in order to promote readiness, combat capability and international cooperation.

This year the exercise hosted the six participating countries on an air base located on the Canary Island, Gran Canaria. Participating nations included partners and allies from Germany, Greece, Portugal, U.S., India and Spain.

Photo. — U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ziarra Williams, 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, prepares a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle for takeoff during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Spain, Oct. 21, 2025. Aircraft maintainers and crew chiefs supported this annual exercise, ensuring mission-ready aircraft and enabling seamless operations among Allied and partner nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

The Liberty Wing was represented by the 492nd Fighter Squadron’s F-15 Strike Eagle fighters, supported by the dedicated Airmen of the 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron.

Pilots and weapons systems officers from all nations honed their skills in mission planning through two weeks of offensive and defensive counter air scenarios, with a cumulative search and rescue event.

According to the pilots, the most important lessons were learned in the debrief room.

“There have been moments airborne where it feels like it all meshes and makes sense,” said Capt. Lydia Knutson, 492nd FS pilot. “But it’s really great in debrief when we all get to sit down and watch those moments happen, speak to them and understand why it worked well.”

The Airmen of the 492nd FGS successfully solved their own sets of challenges in a deployed, physically demanding environment, keeping aircraft fueled and ready to fly daily operations.

“The team is really coming together as one to fix any issues with the aircraft,” said Master Sgt. Jarrid Bartoy, 492nd FGS production superintendent. “They have gotten after all of it so we can do what we’re here to do - get the jets back in the air and train with our partner nations.”

Participating in large force exercises like Ocean Sky, alongside Allies and partner nations, enables Airmen to integrate tactics and develop common operating pictures through realistic problem sets within the complex training environment.

“The best part was being able to work alongside and see the other nations launching their jets right there with us,” said Staff. Sgt. Justin Elcombe, 492nd FGS F-15 electrical and environmental systems craftsman. “The perspective offered through this exercise has been incredible.”