CFE treaty inspection comes to 48th FW

An HH-60G Pave Hawk is photographed by U.K. Joint Arms Control Implementation Group and Defense Threat Reduction Agency-On Site Europe team members during a Conventional Armed Forces in Europe exercise inspection at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, March 28, 2016. The CFE treaty was negotiated during the final years of the Cold War to limit the amount of combat equipment a nation had in their inventory, and provides for an inspection regime to verify holdings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dawn M. Weber/Released)

CFE treaty inspection comes to 48th FW

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Taylor O’Connell, Defense Threat Reduction Agency-On Site Europe noncommissioned officer in charge of the CFE exercise inspection, briefs the inspectors before entering Hangar 8 at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 28, 2016. The CFE treaty promotes military transparency and communication amongst signatory countries, which serves to prevent uncertainties regarding other states actions and creates a more cooperative security situation for all parties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dawn M. Weber/Released)

CFE treaty inspection comes to 48th FW

U.S. and U.K. forces join together during a recent Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty exercise inspection at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 28, 2016. The CFE treaty promotes military transparency and communication amongst signatory countries, which serves to prevent uncertainties regarding other states actions and creates a more cooperative security situation for all parties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dawn M. Weber/Released)

CFE treaty inspection comes to 48th FW

U.S. and U.K. forces join together during a recent Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty exercise inspection at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 28, 2016. The CFE treaty was negotiated during the final years of the Cold War to limit the amount of combat equipment a nation had in their inventory, and provides for an inspection regime to verify holdings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nigel Sandridge/Released)

CFE treaty inspection comes to 48th FW

U.S. and U.K. forces join together during a recent Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty exercise inspection at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 28, 2016. The CFE treaty was negotiated during the final years of the Cold War to limit the amount of combat equipment a nation had in their inventory, and provides for an inspection regime to verify holdings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nigel Sandridge/Released)

CFE treaty exercise inspection comes to 48th FW

Published May 6, 2016
By Senior Airman Dawn M. Weber
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England--Recently, the 48th Fighter Wing Treaty Compliance Office held a Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Exercise Inspection.

The CFE treaty was negotiated during the final years of the Cold War to limit the amount of combat equipment a nation had in their inventory and provides for an inspection regime to verify holdings.

The treaty places numerical limits on five categories of equipment: tanks, armored combat vehicles, artillery, combat aircraft and combat helicopters; for the 48th FW, this includes the F-15 aircraft. The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters are subject to reporting requirements, but have no limitations on their numbers.

The U.K. Joint Arms Control Implementation Group played the role of the foreign inspection team, giving the wing an opportunity to practice its ability to account for all combat aircraft and provide immediate access to facilities subject to inspection. While demonstrating 48th FW compliance, the exercise also provided valuable training for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency-On Site Europe who served as the National Escort Team, and the JACIG team.

"The U.S. sets the example for compliance," said Gregory Shanks, 48th FW treaty compliance officer. "When countries feel that the U.S. takes arms control seriously, then they are more likely follow suit."

The CFE treaty promotes military transparency and communication amongst signatory countries, which serves to prevent uncertainties regarding other states actions and creates a more cooperative security situation for all parties.

"The CFE Treaty, with its transparency in military equipment numbers and locations, allows signatory nations to break that cycle and create a more cooperative security situation," Shanks said.

According to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Taylor O'Connell, DTRA-OSE noncommissioned officer in charge of the CFE exercise inspection, it's important to have these types of training exercise to not only work with other branches of U.S. forces, but with allied nations.