The Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing will represent US Air Forces in Europe next month during an air-to-air exercise with the Bulgarian Air Force. US Embassy officials in Sofia, Bulgaria, say the exercise will help foster shared tactics, techniques, and procedures among NATO allies. Bulgaria is a new addition to NATO, and, according to the Associated Press news service, has agreed to host US troops at four military facilities in the country as part of a 10-year plan.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…