Airmen with the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, are training with Romanian troops this month during an 11-day combined air exercise called Carpathian Summer 2016. The off-station training began May 9 at Otopeni AB, Romania, according to an 86th Airlift Wing press release. First Lt. Mark Alpert, 37th AS executive officer, said the unit has a “great relationship” with the Romanians, and the US has been working with them since 1996. “It’s been beneficial for both of our armed forces,” he said. About 80 airmen and three C-130J Super Hercules are involved in the exercise. A1C Daniel Ehrsam, a weather forecaster with 86th Operations Support Squadron, said he has had “an amazing time” in the training so far, and has enjoyed working in a different environment than usual. “I think I’ve learned more about my job here, and I’m excited to bring this experience with me back to Ramstein,” he said.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.