GRAF IGNATIEVO AIR BASE, Bulgaria --
Triple Nickel arrives for Thracian Viper 20
Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrive in preparation for exercise Thracian Viper 20, at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, Sept. 18, 2020. Thracian Viper 20 is a multilateral training exercise, which allows both U.S. Air Force Airmen and Bulgarian forces to extend joint warfighting capability through operational and tactical training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever)
1 of 4
Triple Nickel arrives for Thracian Viper 20
Three U.S. Air Force pilots from the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, perform post-flight checks after landing at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, Sept. 18, 2020. The pilots will participate in Thracian Viper 20, a multilateral training exercise, which allows both U.S. Air Force Airmen and Bulgarian forces to extend joint warfighting capability through operational and tactical training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever)
2 of 4
Triple Nickel arrives for Thracian Viper 20
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, lands on Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during exercise Thracian Viper 20, Sept. 18, 2020. Thracian Viper 20 enhances successful partnering activities, which result in progressive relationships and lead to tangible, mutual benefits during peacetime, contingencies and crisis, through actions such as regional security, access and coalition operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever)
3 of 4
Triple Nickel arrives for Thracian Viper 20
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, lands on Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, during exercise Thracian Viper 20, Sept. 18, 2020. Thracian Viper 20 is a multilateral training exercise with the Bulgarian air force, aimed to increase operational capacity, capability and interoperability with Bulgaria. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever)
4 of 4
Airmen and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing will participate in exercise Thracian Viper 20, Sept. 18-25, 2020, with other U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa units, and the Bulgarian, Greek, and Romanian air forces, at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria.
Thracian Viper is a multilateral training exercise with the Bulgarian, Greek, and Romanian air forces, aimed to increase operational capacity, capability and interoperability with Bulgaria.
Approximately 150 personnel and six F-16s from the 555th Fighter Squadron deployed in support of the exercise along with various units from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Airmen assigned to the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
During the exercise, the Triple Nickel will conduct both air-to-air and air-to-ground training with other European partner nations.
“The Triple Nickel’s participation in Thracian Viper will validate and refine our ability to closely integrate with other European air forces,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Ryan, 555th FS commander. “Integrating with our Bulgarian hosts and other partner nations both strengthens our relationships and yields more lethal fighting forces that are ready and able to conduct integrated operations when called upon.”