The United States Air Forces in Europe-Africa
The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa ‘USAFE-AFAFRICA’ , with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is a major Command of the U.S. Air Force. It is the Air component for two Department of Defense unified Commands – U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. During most of the Cold War, USAFE-AFAFRICA was a fight-in-place Force postured for a large-scale conflict. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, it has transitioned to an Air Expeditionary Force with a Mobile and Deployable mix of people and resources that can simultaneously Operate in Multiple Locations.
In peacetime, U.S Air Forces Europe-Africa, trains and equips Air-Force Units pledged to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ‘NATO’ and to the Peace and Stability of African States. In fulfilling its NATO responsibilities, USAFE-AFAFRICA maintains Combat-ready Wings Based from the United Kingdom to Turkey. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe -and the U.S Air Forces in Africa: Plans, Conducts, Controls, Coordinates and Supports Air and Space Operations in Europe and Africa to achieve U.S. National and NATO objectives based on tasking by the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM Commanders. The USAFE-AFAFRICA has seven main Operating Bases along with 114 geographically separated Locations, working closely with the Allied to foster Strong Europe, and maintain Security and Peace in the World. ©USAFE-AFAFRICA
News from US Air Force Europe-Africa
January 2022
The United States Armed-Forces the Freedom Defenders
After twenty years in Afghanistan……..
The United States has never launched a military entry for a territorial interests or political gains. As history marks that almost all U.S interventions have been made based on the main objective of liberating nations; liberating peoples that had been kept in the chains of the despotic systems, tyrannical laws or the authoritarian governments.
No matter in which continents, regions, countries or nations we look in depth, the United States is unceasingly ....reckoned and seen as the ultimate forces of prominent…. liberator.
The captured images of horrified Afghans running in the Kabul airport along the U.S military aircraft, on the eve of August 16, 2021 portrayed desperations.…distress and… mayhem in the aftermath of the news of the U.S military departure from Afghanistan. Yet beyond any words….. scripts and interpretations, it portrayed the authenticated tale of indelible chapter of the United States Armed-Forces, which overwhelmed friends and foes with the same degree of bewilder…..astonishment…. and…. awe.
The United States has never lost a battle, conflicts or wars as its military possesses not only the sheer military might but beyond that it has the cultural and moral appeal which attracts, enchants,…and yet wins over no matter where it sets its presence. ……..so it was,…. that happened, ……eventuated in Afghanistan.
Acknowledgments: Afghans Run Alongside U.S. Military Plane at Kabul Airport ©NBC August 16, 2021. By Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt (Copyrighted material)
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May 2021
An exclusive Interview with Captain Erik Anthony, USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs Spokesperson, conducted by Editor in Chief.
Sir, it’s a great pleasure to have this interview with you. Thank you very much indeed for accepting our invitation.
- Q 1: Can you please describe the strategic mission and the intercontinental role of USAFE-AFAFRICA?
As the air component for both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, USAFE-AFAFRICA executes the Air Component missions with forward-based airpower and infrastructure to conduct and enable theater and global operations. USAFE-AFAFRICA directs air operations in a theater spanning three continents, covering more than 19 million square miles, and containing 104 independent states. Our mission is: “to forward project power across air, space and cyber domains, defend United States interests, demonstrate warfighting readiness, and forge partnerships in support of United States European Command and United States Africa Command Campaign objectives.”
- Q 2: How do you see the alignment of strategic security of the Baltic and Arctic region with USAFE-AFAFRICA’s mission?
The alignment of strategic security of the Baltic and Arctic regions is crucial to our mission. We remain committed to security throughout the Baltic and Arctic regions and a Europe that is whole, free, prosperous, and at peace. Strong relationships and continued interoperability with our allies and partners in these regions increases defense cooperation, improves the independent defense capabilities of Baltic nations and contributes to strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense postures in the High North and on NATO’s Eastern Flank.
Through continued training, exercises and exchanges, we work alongside our allies and partners to build interoperability across all domains and bolster stability and security in the Baltics and in the Arctic. In recent years, the bonds between the U.S. and our friends in these regions have only grown stronger, and our long-standing relationships span a broad range of mutual security, economic, and global interests.
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April 2021
The U.S Air Force with France and UK in Atlantic Trident 2021
From May 17-28 next month, the multinational joint training exercise ‘Atlantic Trident 2021’ will be held in France, marking the third military event of the Atlantic Trident. The participants are the U.S Air Force, French Air and Space Force, the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom– presenting with them, to challenge and test, the most advanced proven fighter aircrafts in a range of air combat scenarios.
The two previous Atlantic Trident 2015 and 2017 were hosted by the U.S Air Force, and in a trilateral joint exercises with the same two major NATO airpower, France and the United Kingdom.
This year the objective of Atlantic Trident will place the focus on re-enhancing the interoperability, to level up the coalition’s operational capabilities, and to transform the readiness in all areas of airpower by applying and improving the fourth and fifth generation of the aircrafts.
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March 2021
With the aim of of fortifying alliances and enhancing interoperability among the NATO allies and partners nations, the annual NATO Baltic region exercise Trident was executed from 15-19 of March.
As every year the U.S Air Force has been the indispensable components of this training event since the start of this exercise. This year the U.S Aircraft from the 492nd and 493rd Fighter Squadrons, and a number of Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, took part in the Trident 2021.
- The core of Trident 2021 was to signify and expand the operational concept of the Agile Combat Employment (ACE), the U.S Air Force highlighted.
“The exercise was an incredible success,” “The team overcame every challenge we faced and achieved every objective for the exercise.” explained Captain Aaron Hieronymus, 429nd Fighter Squadron weapons and tactics flight commander. ©U.S Air Force Europe and Africa/ Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte. March 22,2021.
U.S 493rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagles fly back to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, from Estonia after completion of Baltic Trident March 19, 2021
See more on NATO Trident: U.S solidifies NATO, allied partnership at Trident Juncture 2015
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January 2017
Commitment, partnership…..from 1942 to 2017 the 75th anniversary of U.S. Air Forces in Europe…..flying for a Nobel cause…… Freedom.
January 19,2017 ©U.S Air Force Europe-Africa
From the creation of Eighth Air Force in 1942 to Operation Atlantic Resolve in 2017, U.S. Air Forces in Europe has answered the call to service for 75 years.
USAFE’s 75th anniversary is Jan. 19, but the command will celebrate the diamond anniversary of the U.S. Air Force presence in Europe on Jan. 23. Announced by USAFE Pubic Affairs January 19, 2017 RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany.
November 2016
The Air-Forces of France, UK and the US in Exercise Tonnerre Lightning
Started on October 31, Exercise Tonnerre Lightning with the Air-Forces of France, the United Kingdom and the U.S reached its final stage on November 9th. The exercise was in the series of two years phase executed at RAF Waddington in England.
September 2016
Northern Challenge 16 is under way in Keflavik, Iceland. The Exercise is a multinational counter explosive device in NATO’s counter-terrorism programme and hosted by Iceland.
September 22, 2016
© U.S Mission to NATO
The U.S Air Force Europe and the 52nd EOD ( Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Airmen have been holding a crucial role for executing this multinational exercise along with Iceland as the host country.
Announced by the U.S Air Base in Germany, the 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs: “The Exercise is to bring U.S and European counterparts from allied and partner nations to become familiar with each other’s Military procedures and achieve greater interoperability in combating terrorism.”
The participating Armed-Forces are from NATO allies, Partnership for Peace, including: Iceland, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Sources: U.S Air Force in Europe-Africa/52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs/ Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany/ U.S Mission to NATO
August 2016
The new Combat Ready Eagles from United States Air-Force F35A has expanded further the NATO Allies Air-Space Defense Capabilities.
August 3, 2016 © US Mission NATO
March 2016
The U.S Air Forces Europe in NATO Training Exercise Real Thaw
U.S. Airmen and NATO Forces in the opening ceremony of Real Thaw at Beja Air Base, Portugal, February 21, 2016 © USAFEU-Africa/Senior Airman Dawn M. Weber
The U.S Air Force from Europe participated in one of NATO’s recent Training Exercise ‘Real Thaw’ hosted by Portuguese Armed-Forces. The Training aimed to upgrade the participants Nations’ skills in the non-Combat Operations while increasing the Allied Interoperability and effectiveness in both Offensive and Defensive Air Operations.
The Real Thaw was carried out from February 22- March 3, with the participation of Air Forces from Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, the United States, and other NATO Forces.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to be here in Portugal,” “We’re excited to be here working side by side with our NATO Allies honing our Joint Air Interoperability as well as Tactical Skills.” stated Lt. Col. Rob Fowler, from U.S 493rd Fighter Squadron Operations Supervisor.
“Real Thaw gives us the opportunity to train and learn from other Countries experiences,” “Here we are able to effectively learn how to use each other’s assets and how to play together if there is ever a time we come together in a Deployed Theater.” expressed Officer Buzzer from 301st Portuguese Air Base F-16M Pilot.
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