More than 180 airmen and 12 F-15C Eagles from RAF Lakenheath, England, and Ramstein AB, Germany, are participating in Thracian Eagle 2014 in Bulgaria through Sept. 1. The bilateral training exercise, which launched Aug. 18 at Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria, is intended to improve readiness and assuage regional allies, according to a US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa release. “We are here to demonstrate our commitment and resolve to our NATO partners,” said Lt. Col. John Stratton, commander of the 493rd Fighter Squadron at Ramstein. The primary goal “is to conduct bilateral flying operations like professional aviators and gain a better understanding of each other’s capabilities and limitations,” he said. The Bulgarian Air Force welcomed its US counterpart on Aug. 15 by performing both countries’ national anthem during an opening ceremony. “We are going to fly and work together to exchange experience and improve interoperability between our two countries,” said base commander Brig. Gen. Ivan Lalov.
U.S. munitions have been expended at a high rate during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, prompting concerns that the Pentagon is eating into weapons stockpiles it needs to deter threats around the world. Yet the newly released $1.5 trillion defense budget request was developed before the war against Iran and…