The Wisconsin Air National Guard is hosting the first-ever international training exercise in the US for NATO forward air controllers. Dubbed “Ramstein Rover 2010,” the exercise runs through Sept. 3 at the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center in Madison and other nearby facilities. It is meant to offer realistic scenarios to help the alliance FACs prepare for deployments to Afghanistan. About 40 NATO personnel are participating from Belgium, Britain, Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia. Fifteen FAC instructors will coach them. A-10s, B-1s, F-16s, KC-135s, remotely piloted vehicles, and helicopters are supporting the exercise. Applying NATO’s train-as-you-operate approach, this exercise will offer valuable opportunities for air-land integration in theater-realistic scenarios, said Col. Rob Redanz, exercise director. (Wisconsin National Guard release)
One Airman was killed and three others injured in a vehicle mishap at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., on June 29. Additionally, two first responder Airmen sustained injuries responding to the incident. All five injured Airmen have been transported to nearby medical facilities, according to a release from the base.