Desert Diplomacy

German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziére touched down at Holloman AFB, N.M., visiting with US and German airmen on his diplomatic trip to the United States. “He wanted to see some of the different aspects of the German forces here in America,” said Col. David Krumm, Holloman’s 49th Wing commander, of de Maiziére’s Feb. 15 visit. Home to the German Air Force Flying Training Center and nearly 600 personnel, “Holloman is a large part” of Germany’s military training presence in the United States, said Krumm. Thanks to the uncrowded airspace and flawless weather, “the Germans started flying training here at Holloman in 1992,” highlighted Krumm. “We’re celebrating basically 20 years.” Germany trains its Tornado pilots and weapons systems operators at Holloman. Prior to arriving at Holloman, De Maiziére met with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta at the Pentagon to discuss US force posture in Europe. (Holloman report by A1C Siuta Ika)