Air Guardsmen from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing on July 6 landed their F-15C Eagles at Campia Turzii, Romania, where they will train with their Romanian Air Force counterparts as part of a theater security package deployment to Europe. Over 200 personnel from ANG and Active Duty units deployed to Romania as part of the 123rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which is currently carrying out training and cooperation activities in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Campia Turzii has served as a hub for training activities connected to OAR, and the 123rd EFS takes over as the lead unit of the TSP from the 159th EFS, composed of F-15Cs deployed from the Florida ANG’s 125th FW. The 159th EFS arrived in Europe in March, with 12 F-15Cs, and rotated to several training sites in multiple countries. The squadron’s mission in Romania will be to support OAR activities and to show US dedication to “security, stability, and peace in Europe, and to work on interoperability with our NATO allies,” said Lt. Col. Sean Sullivan, the 123rd EFS commander.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.