Eagles, Falcons soar over Aviano skies

A group of F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, taxi down a runway, June 3, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. More than 300 personnel visited Aviano to conduct multiple training exercises with the 510th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman/Released)

Eagles, Falcons soar over Aviano skies

An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, lands, June 3, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. More than 300 personnel visited Aviano to conduct multiple training exercises with the 510th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman/Released)

Eagles, Falcons soar over Aviano skies

A group of F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, taxi down a runway, June 3, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. More than 300 personnel visited Aviano to conduct multiple training exercises with 510th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman/Released)

Eagles, Falcons soar over Aviano skies

Published June 11, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Cary Smith
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Approximately 15 F-15 Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and more than 300 support personnel, are here for a 2-week training exercise.

The training provides Team Aviano and Lakenheath's aircrew and maintainers a chance to increase their interoperability and offers a unique air combat training opportunity.

"The runway at Lakenheath is shut down for repairs, so the 492nd FS 'Mad Hatters' came here to take advantage of this opportunity," said Maj. Timothy Dowling, 492nd FS assistant director of operations. "Different aircraft allow both crews to accomplish training missions that typically wouldn't happen. We come here often for dissimilar air combat tactics, but this time we get more time than usual."

The addition of the 492nd FS affords both squadrons the chance to conduct DACT missions which can't be replicated at home station by Aviano's F-16 squadrons and F-15 fighter squadrons at RAF Lakenheath.

"The F-15's two engines allow the aircraft to reach a higher top speed. The F-16s have a smaller body with less weight that allows tighter turns. This is essential to out-maneuver opponents in a dogfight," said Capt. Matthew Wetherbee, 510th FS fighter pilot. "The training gives us the opportunity to see aircraft capabilities you can't replicate with in-house training."

The training missions ranged from one-on-one dogfights to eight or more aircraft in large-force exercises. Working side-by-side allowed the 510th FS 'Buzzards' and the 492nd FS 'Mad Hatters' to hone mission-critical strategies and techniques.

The two-week exercise with two of United States Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa premier fighter wings helps develop their readiness through the multifaceted air exercise that continues the commitment to international security and ensures that USAFE Airmen are 'Forward, Ready and Ready Now'.