Photos by Staff Sgt. Megan Beatty
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs August 25, 2023
U.S. Air Force Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrive in Lithuania to participate in Astral Knight 2023 Part 6, Aug. 18. Exercises and deployments utilizing Agile Combat Employment concepts by distributing aviation operations ensure forces in Europe are ready to protect and defend Allies, Partners and U.S. interests at a moment’s notice.
U.S. Air Force Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, board a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, during Astral Knight 2023 Part 6, at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. The 37th AS delivered the Airmen to a strategic location in Lithuania to exercise Agile Combat Employment concepts during AK23-6. ACE enables U.S. forces in Europe to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen and aircrews are postured to deliver lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ramiro Ramirez and Master Sgt. George Harlan, both 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chiefs, configure a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for multiple passengers to support Astral Knight 2023 Part 6, at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ramiro Ramirez, center, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, and Lithuanian air force Sgt. Rokas Vyautas Grientnickas, right, a Fuels Section special liquids technician, refuel a U.S. C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in Lithuania in support of Astral Knight 23 Part 6, Aug. 18. Exercising elements of distributed aviation operations with Allies and Partners sharpens the Alliance’s competitive edge, secures common interests, and promotes shared values.
Lithuanian air force Sgt. Rokas Vyautas Grientnickas, Fuels Section special liquids technician, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ramiro Ramirez, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, refuel a U.S. C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in Lithuania in support of Astral Knight 23 Part 6, Aug. 18.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. George Harlan, right, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, performs pre-flight inspections for a C-130J Super Hercules as members of the 86th AMXS observe at Ramstein Air Base, in support of Astral Knight 23 Part 6, Aug. 18. AK23-6 is a multinational live-fly field training exercise, aimed to demonstrate proactive and reactive Agile Combat Employment deployments, enhance command and control procedures, and improve logistics among Allies and Partners in the Arctic and Baltic regions.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Johnny Murphy, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, flies a C-130J over Lithuania in support of Astral Knight 2023 Part 6, Aug. 18. The 37th AS participates in exercises like AK23-6 to ensure they are ready to project power from the Global Gateway in order to support, protect and defend Allies, Partners and U.S. interests.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Johnny Murphy, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, and Maj. Benjamin Walker, 86th Operations Group chief of standards and evaluations, adjust flight controls on a C-130J over Lithuania in support of Astral Knight 23 Part 6, Aug. 18.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Benjamin Walker, 86th Operations Group chief of standards and evaluations, flies a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft over Lithuania in support of Astral Knight 2023 Part 6, Aug. 18. Walker and members of the 37th Airlift Squadron delivered nearly 50 Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, to Lithuania to participate in AK23-6.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Johnny Murphy, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, performs preflight checks at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. The 37th AS is supporting Astral Knight 23 Part 6, which incorporates all U.S. Air Forces in Europe — Air Forces Africa flying wings along with the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and focuses on Agile Combat Employment proactive and reactive asset movements, as well as ground and aerial interoperability training.
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