KC Hawgs on the move

Ten Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) KC coded A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft assigned to the 303rd Fighter Squadron, part of the 442nd Fighter Wing and based at Whiteman AFB (MO), are scheduled to arrive shortly in the European area of operations to support the US Army exercise "Defender 23".

It is expected that the "KC Hawgs" will be primarily based in Spain and Greece during the exercise. Defender 23 is a United States European Command (USEUCOM) directed multinational joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between US and NATO Allies and partners.

This exercise consists of three separate but related exercises. Those exercises are "Swift Response", "Immediate Response" and "Saber Guardian". Each of these exercises focuses on unique and challenging objectives.

As an example, Swift Response tests the exercise participants’ ability to conduct three separate yet simultaneous joint forcible entry airborne operations. Exercise Immediate Response allows the participating nations and individuals to work through the complexities of rapidly building combat power arriving from the US. Finally, Exercise Saber Guardian affords participating units unique challenges such as conducting a forward passage of lines, contested wet gap crossings and joint forceable entry operations to seize key terrain objectives.

While USEUCOM is in the lead, US Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE - AFAFRICA) has also a significant participation in all three exercises.

The exercise "Defender 23" is not to be confused with the German-led live-fly exercise "Air Defender 23". This exercise will commence in June and will see also A-10C Thunderbolt IIs arriving in Germany.

Photo via USAF / Credit patch: www.flightlineinsignia.com