Forty-five Colombian airmen and four Colombian Air Force A-29 Super Tucanos have joined USAF forces from around the nation at Barksdale AFB, La., to participate in Exercise Green Flag East August 15-29, according to a release. USAF participation includes A-10s from Moody AFB, Ga., F-16s from the Texas Air National Guard, KC-135s from McConnell AFB, Kan., E-3s from Tinker AFB, Okla., and E-8s from Robins AFB, Ga. Colombian Air Force Brig. Gen. Rodrigo Alejandro Valencia Guevara said the goal of the exercise is to “improve the interoperability” between the two forces. This close air support exercise closely followed PANAMAX, an annual command and control exercise organized by US Southern Command, which brought together 20 nations and was led this year by a Colombian Air Force general.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
