Photos by Senior Airman Andrew Bertain
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs August 17, 2023
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 37th Airlift Squadron performs a heavy cargo airdrop over Cheshnegirovo Air Base, Bulgaria, as a part of the Thracian Summer 2023 flying training deployment, Aug. 8. During Thracian Summer, the 86th Airlift Wing and the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing worked together to exercise different training objectives while in Bulgaria.
A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 435th Contingency Response Group parachutes into the drop zone at Cheshnegirovo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Summer 2023, a flying training deployment, Aug. 8. The jump was a part of the 435th CRG’s training object to deploy as a small contingency team and perform landing and drop zone tasks for the first time.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. E-Quantay Mason, 435th Contingency Response Group team member, guards a perimeter after completing a jump into the drop zone at Cheshnegirovo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Summer 2023, a flying training deployment, Aug. 8. The U.S. works with allies and partners in Europe to deter threats and defend them as needed. Thracian Summer gave the 435th CRG the opportunity to embody this commitment and practice Agile Combat Employment.
U.S. Air Force Col. R. Patrick Rayner, 435th Contingency Response Group commander, watches members of the 435th CRG perform jumps during Thracian Summer 2023, a flying training deployment, at Cheshnegirovo Air Base, Bulgaria, Aug. 8. The 435th CRG commander came out to the training to watch as his team deploy for the first time as a small contingency team to perform landing and drop zone tasks.
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 435th Contingency Response Group discuss plans to set up a perimeter after completing a personnel airdrop into the drop zone at Cheshnegirovo Air Base, Bulgaria, during Thracian Summer 2023, a flying training deployment, Aug. 8. During this training, the 435th CRG deployed as a small contingency team and performed landing and drop zone tasks for the first time.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kelanni Lugo, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron aerial delivery specialist, and Airman 1st Class Olivia Wacaser, 435th Contingency Response Squadron mobile aerial porter, retrieve a heavy cargo pallet during Thracian Summer 2023, a flying training deployment, at Cheshnegirovo Air Base, Bulgaria, Aug. 8. Thracian Summer gave both the 86th Airlift Wing and the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing the opportunity to practice interoperability and strengthen ties with the Bulgarian air force in the European theater.
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