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Eight members of the Lithuanian Armed Forces traveled to Ramstein to observe a Silver Flag training course March 9 to 16.
Silver Flag is a seven-day training exercise where Airmen practice their contingency skill sets, including setting up and maintaining a bare base, conducting post attack repairs and running deployed operations.
“For us this is important for future planning and to learn about special training we could maybe conduct in Lithuania or in a partnership with the U.S.,” said Lithuanian Maj. Andrius Jacina, Lithuanian Armed Forces Logistics Command training chief.
The course was run by 43 cadre members from the 435th Construction and Training Squadron who specialize in several Air Force Specialty Codes, including civil engineering, services and personnel.
“This training is so important because a lot of the AFSCs do not get to do these tasks at their home station,” said Maj. Denise Shea, 31st Force Support Squadron Manpower and Personnel flight chief. “Any kind of contingency training you get can save lives at a deployed location. This training ensures we are trained and capable of handling these tasks in a deployed environment.”
The 132 Airmen from seven bases spent the first five days receiving specialized training and the last two putting everything they learned to the test during a field exercise.
“The best part of this training is seeing how it’s all working together,” Major Shae said. “Bringing those career fields together to not only see what they are supposed to do at a deployed location but also what other teams are doing as well is important. I’m really impressed with the competencies and professionalism of all of the Airmen who come here, train and work together.”
The Lithuanian team was able to see several aspects of the course, Major Jacvina said.
“Among other things, our guys were attached to the reverse osmosis water purification unit learning how it is used to purify water,” Major Jacina said. “Also, for the first time we observed the aircraft arresting systems and how it is set up on different types of ground surfaces.”
The major was particularly impressed by the calm attitude they observed during the field exercise. He said that even during stressful situations, the Airmen approached the scenarios methodically and ensured all safety precautions were
followed.
“It was a great opportunity to come to this Silver Flag exercise,” Major Jacina said.
