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Capt. Justin Rex, 435th Contingency Response Group air adviser, describes elements of the flightline to Capt. Nikolay Mateev, Bulgarian air force aeronautical engineer, during a recent course to introduce members of the Bulgarian air force to methods of installation planning and development at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria.
Members of the 435th Contingency Response Group conducted an air base master planning event with the Bulgarian air force at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, Sept. 16 through 20.
The event provided an opportunity to evaluate and assist with current plans and future exercises with the Bulgarian air force. It also built new partnerships and strengthened ones already in place.
Four Ramstein Airmen, three from the 435th Air Adviser Branch and the 435th Construction Training Squadron commander, led a familiarization course covering installation development planning concepts.
The five-day event supported U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa’s efforts to improve and integrate Bulgarian air force facilities and equipment, in addition to providing expertise to the Bulgarian air force for the upcoming fourth generation multi-role fighter capability.
The air advisers also met with senior leadership at the Ministry of Defense in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, briefing the Bulgarian air force commander on master planning and specific projects to assist how the Bulgarian’s prepare for future training.
“It’s a unique opportunity to conduct a mission that assists in the modernization of one of our allied partners,” Tech. Sgt. Brandon Williams, 435th CRG air adviser. “This mission will set the table for future missions and have continued positive effects on our partnership for years to come.”
The cooperative military event included presentations on the history of the Bulgarian air force and a base tour highlighting potential infrastructure projects. The mutual exchange of ideas and information during this event was important to continued planning and cooperation of U.S. and Bulgarian forces.
“Our objective was to support the Bulgarian air force’s modernization by sharing lessons learned on past Air Force modernization efforts and advising the Bulgarian’s efforts towards projects that provide the greatest long term benefit,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Elliot, 435th CTS commander.
In preparation for these missions, 435th CRG air advisers completed more than 120 hours in the formal Air Force Air Adviser course. Subjects covered included advising fundamentals, interagency partnerships, interpreter support, in-country activities, strategic guidance, and cross-cultural communication, among many others.
During the event, the air adviser team met with several subject matter experts of the Bulgarian air force, discussing a broad spectrum of topics to include the structure of their military, enlistments, and career progression. They also talked about specific views of their planning process and proposed projects to assist with future multinational exercises.
“This event enhanced master planning capabilities and benefits (USAFE-AFAFRICA) by reducing the costs of future military exercises with Bulgaria,” Capt. Justin Rex, 435th CRG air adviser.
The Bulgarian mission was another successful event for the dedicated Airmen of the 435th CRG’s air advisor branch. The development and enhancement of a NATO partner aids the Air Force’s goal of building mutually beneficial partnerships.
