Ten F-15Cs from the 493rd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, Britain, have arrived at the 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii, Romania, for a large-scale NATO interoperability exercise with the Romanian air force. They will fly with Romanian Mig-21s during Operation Golden Lance, focusing mainly on honing their air-to-air engagement skills. “We’re excited to bring our F-15C capability to demonstrate our air superiority skills, train with a formidable NATO ally, and integrate our services on offensive counter-aircraft training missions,” said Lt. Col. Skip Pribyl, 493rd FS commander. Although this exercise is the first exchange between the 493rd FS and Romanian pilots, both the Lakenheath F-15s and Romanian MiG-21s have deployed on separate occasions to Lithuania to execute NATO’s Baltic air policing mission. A 493rd FS contingent is currently responsible for that mission. (Lakenheath report by SrA. David Dobrydney)
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
