Montgomery Airmen, jets to go to Romania for training

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A 187th Fighter Wing F-16 in flight. Photo by Tech Sgt. Christopher Baldwin.

MONTGOMERY, AL (10/08/2015)(readMedia)-- Approximately 150 Airman and 8 fighter jets from the Alabama Air National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing will depart for Romania, Friday, Oct. 9, to participate in a month-long training exercise with the Romanian Air Force in Campia Turzii. This bilateral training event will enhance interoperability with Romania and increase readiness to conduct combined air operations.

This mission is part of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program, which is managed by the National Guard Bureau. This program links U.S. National Guard organizations at the state level with partner countries around the world for the purpose of supporting the defense and foreign policy cooperation objectives.

By linking American states with designated partner countries, the SPP aims to promote access, enhance military capabilities, improve interoperability, and enhance the principles of responsible governance. Alabama has been paired with Romania since 1993 and this mission continues a long relationship between the 187th Fighter Wing and the Romania Air Force.

The 187th Fighter Wing most recently supported training exercises in Romania in 2012, and the Alabama Army National Guard sent more than 1,000 Soldiers to Romania this year in support of the partnership.

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