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***image1***PISA, Italy – More than 100 members from Ramstein had the opportunity to enhance their war-fighting capabilities during Exercise Leaning Tower II held in Pisa, Italy, March 10 to 21.
In an effort to fulfill flying requirements and to prepare for contingency operations, the 37th Airlift Squadron participated in night-vision goggle operations to include NVG low-level flying, NVG equipment airdrops, and take-offs and landings.
In support of the training exercise, life support, intelligence and aviation resource management personnel accompanied the 37th AS aircrews. Members from the 86th Maintenance Group, 86th Contingency Response Group and the 435th Logistic Readiness Group also provided assistance and support.
This semi-annual training allowed 37th AS aircrew the chance to conduct day- and night- ship formations in the unfamiliar 500-foot mountainous terrain of Pisa, said Capt. Peter Larson, 37th AS C-130 evaluator navigator and mission commander for the exercise. Pilots have to be more vigilant in this type of environment and they really have to exercise different skills, said Captain Larson.
This environment also allows aircrew the chance to drop in unfamiliar drop zones, said Captain Larson. “And these are skills that pilots and aircrew have to have,” he said.
Due to the flexibility of the Italian military and the extended nighttime flying hours, 37th AS aircrew had the opportunity to fly five-hour day and night sorties to include two-ship formations in the day and three-ship at night. The 86th CRG utilized NVG capabilities and also had the chance to perform combat on-load and off-loads during this exercise.
The more than 40-member team deployed from the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was on hand to address aircraft maintenance issues and keep the C-130 aircraft flying throughout the exercise, said Chief Master Sgt. David “Opie” Hurst, 86th AMXS, 37th Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent.
In an effort to keep the planes flying, the maintenance team also conducted pre-flight, through-flight and post-flight inspections.
Availability to resources provided by the Italians ensured the productivity of the maintenance teams throughout the training.
“This deployment is unique in the sense that we have a military organization here that is helping us with the issues that we can’t overcome by ourselves … such as logistical problems like fuel or liquid oxygen,” said the chief. We couldn’t do that without their help, he added.
A great deal of and time and coordination between the Italian and American military was involved in the planning and implementation of this training exercise, said Maj. Darren Miller, 37th AS deployed mission commander. Training in Pisa was coordinated with assistance from the 46th Air Brigade, Italy, which supported training efforts by providing access to their facilities and airspace, he said.
The Italian military also assisted in the setting up of workstations for exercise teams, said Major Miller. Camp Darby Army base, Italy, provided major equipment support and was of great assistance as well.
“It is because of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved that makes this training a success,” said Lt. Col J.R. Reid, previous 37th AS commander, during an American Italian appreciation dinner.
The sentiments were the same from the Italians.
Italian Air Forces 46th Air Brigade Commander Buttafarro Sebastiano said during a lunch hosted by the Italians, that he welcomes the Americans and hopes to see their return for future joint involvement.
The 37th AS working under the 86th Operations Group operates combat-ready C-130 Hercules aircraft throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. According to Air Force Publication 3-3.25 “Combat Aircraft Fundamentals,” the C-130 can conduct global, sustained airlift operations, in hostile or permissive environments and can accomplish a variety of missions throughout the spectrum of operations from peacetime to war to include the transport of troops and equipment, the evacuation of wounded servicemembers, and the re-supply of forward-deployed ground forces.
