A detachment of airmen from Aviano AB, Italy, went to the Red Flag 13-2 air combat exercise at Nellis AFB, Nev., with members of the 480th Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem AB, Germany, last month to bring the latter unit up to sufficient manning to help it prepare to deploy for combat. These airmen also participated together in a Green Flag training exercise for close air support, according to a Feb. 1 Nellis release. Recent force structure changes left the 480th FS with a manning void; as a result, 50 airmen from Aviano’s 555th FS accompanied Spang’s F-16s and airmen to the exercises to fill that void, states the release. “We knew coming into a different unit that we would have to work hard to show we could work to their standards,” said SSgt. Michael White, an Aviano crew chief now assigned to Spang’s 480th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. “We’ve built a cohesive team. The exercises were a great benefit to the 480th as we prepare to deploy down range,” said Lt. Col. Cameron Caroom, 480th FS commander. (Nellis report by SrA. Daniel Hughes)
The Air Force has begun flying its CV-22 Ospreys again. But that is just the start of a multi-step process to return the fleet to normal operations following a deadly crash last year, the service says.