NATO’s Roving Herd

A-10s of the 81st Fighter Squadron deployed this week to the Czech Republic from Spangdahlem AB, Germany, for NATO’s close air support exercise Ramstein Rover. “NATO nations come here to train and prepare for the important allied mission in Afghanistan,” said Czech Brig. Gen. Jiri Verner, host representative at exercise headquarters at Namest AB, Czech Republic. During the 10 flying days, Spangdahlem’s A-10s will practice the “full spectrum of day, night, medium- and low-altitude training” in coordination with joint terminal attack controllers from among the participating countries, according to a NATO release. The A-10s, which left for Namest on Sept. 4, and Turkish F-16s are the primary fast-attack assets at this year’s exercise. Personnel and hardware from Belgium, Britain, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Turkey, and the United States are taking part in Ramstein Rover, which runs from Sept. 5 to Sept 21. (Spangdahlem release)