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OTOPENI AIR BASE, Romania — The 37th Airlift Squadron kicked off exercise Carpathian Summer 2016 May 9 on Otopeni Air Base, Romania.
This 11-day off-station training is a bilateral exercise to enhance interoperability and readiness with Romania by conducting combined air operations.
According to 1st Lt. Mark Alpert, 37th AS executive officer, the exercise demonstrated the U.S. commitment and close cooperation with NATO partners.
“We have a lot to learn from each other,” Alpert said. “We have a great relationship with the Romanians and have been working with them since 1996. It’s been beneficial for both of our armed forces.”
Approximately 80 personnel from the 37th AS and three C-130J Super Hercules are participating in the training.
Airmen train in areas such as high-quality threats, unimproved landing zone qualifications and more.
According to Airman 1st Class Daniel Ehrsam, 86th Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster, the opportunities gained through the exercise are invaluable.
“I’ve had an amazing time so far,” Ehrsam said. “It’s been an interesting process working in a different environment than usual. I think I’ve learned more about my job here and I’m excited to bring this experience with me back to Ramstein.”
Although the exercise is about training, the cooperative efforts shared between U.S. and Romanian Airmen continue the longstanding history of Ramstein demonstrating its airpower alongside U.S. allies.
