Two of the new C-130J transports assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, recently deployed to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where they are operating in support of Flintlock 10, a US Africa Command-sponsored multinational interoperability and capacity-building exercise. This event, which runs through May 23 throughout western Africa, marks the unit’s first deployment with its J-model aircraft to Africa for an exercise. “Flintlock is our first opportunity to employ the aircraft in an austere environment for significant durations,” said Maj. Mark Oberson, 37th AS assistant director of operations. Already they have made their mark. “The 130s are making this exercise happen,” said Maj. Randle Tankersley who works plans and operations for 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa). With them, exercise planners have been able to bring the participants together at multiple exercise locations. (Ramstein report by SSgt. Stefanie Torres)
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
