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A French Mirage 2000 being refuelled over Djibouti.
US Marine Corps and French Air Force members demonstrated joint capabilities over the Horn of Africa on 24 May, with a US aircraft refuelling a French fighter.
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234) and the 3/11 French Fighter Squadron conducted joint training, enabling both forces to benefit from each other’s unique capabilities, US Africa Command (Africom) said.
“The opportunity to work and train alongside our French partners in Djibouti builds readiness across both forces and enhances interoperability,” said US Army Colonel Jennifer Mykins, the director of operations for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). “It shows our shared commitment to stability in the region, ultimately exhibiting the importance of how, as partners, we are stronger together.”
1940s
At the end of World War II, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Chester W. Nimitz ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to keep the public interested in naval aviation.
In a short three months, the Navy Flight Exhibition Team performed its first flight demonstration June 15, 1946, at their home base, Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida. Lt. Cmdr. Roy âButchâ Voris led the team and flew the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat.
The new Navy Flight Exhibition team was only the second formal flying demonstration team to have been created in the world, since the Patrouille de France formed in 1931.
Astral Knight 21: Liberty Wing trains with European Allies By Tech. Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published May 26, 2021
A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron takes off during exercise Astral Knight 21 at Larissa Air Base, Greece, May 17, 2021. Astral Knight is a multinational exercise designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and its NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian Jankowski, 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals an F-15C Eagle assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron during exercise Astral Knight 21 at Larissa Air Base, Greece, May 20, 2021. The 48th Fighter Wing deployed 12 F-15C/D Eagles and more than 250 Airmen from the 493rd FS, 748th AMXS and other supporting units to participate in the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)
The 48th Fighter Wing trained and integrated with allied NATO nations during Astral Knight 21, May 17 - 21, 2021, strengthening partnerships and rapid deployment capabilities.,
12 The Republic of Singapore Air Force deployed airmen, F-16 fighters, F-15SG fighters and a G550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 24, 2021.
This deployment provides bilateral training for aircrew and maintenance personnel to enhance interoperability and cultivate regional partnerships.
“We welcome the RSAF deployment and the opportunity to further enhance cooperation and bolster our respective capabilities together,” said Brig. Gen. Jeremy T. Sloane, 36th Wing commander. “The U.S.-Singapore bond is grounded in a history of common interests and shared perspectives.”
This deployment continues the long-running practice of training on Guam, having conducted bilateral exercises with the U.S. Marine Corps as early as the 1990s. Most recently in 2019, the RSAF deployed to Andersen to conduct training.