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NATO evaluators put base under "attack" to test capabilities

USAFE News Story

Release Date: 6/4/2004

By Capt. Nicholas J. Sabula

31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (USAFENS) - Airmen of the 31st Fighter Wing were under the gun of about 100 AirSouth inspectors May 24 - 29 during a NATO Tactical Evaluation here.

The TACEVAL, used to inspect a base's ability to fight a war, looks at three major areas: force protection, logistics and operations.

"I'm extremely proud of our team for their showcasing of the U.S. Air Force's capabilities and professionalism to our NATO evaluators," said Brig. Gen. Mike Worden, 31st Fighter Wing commander. "This was an important part of our being a member of NATO. The interoperability between us and our NATO allies is extremely important in conducting dominant air combat."

Inspectors from 11 NATO countries looked at the wing's ability to launch aircraft and defend the base against attack under different scenarios. This included operating in a chemical environment under Mission Oriented Protective Posture level 4.

"We are here to evaluate the base on the standards we apply to all the countries of NATO," said Greek Col. Konstantinos Koutsoukos, Hellenic air force. "The report we make will go to AirSouth and then be sent to (Supreme Allied Commander Europe)." Colonel Koutsoukos is the AirSouth TACEVAL assistant chief of staff and the team chief for the Aviano evaluation.

"This is a measure of our ability to provide sustained combat operations in a NATO environment under all circumstances," said Lt. Col. Willie Brandt, 31st Fighter Wing chief of inspections. "This is very similar to what we do in the U.S. with our Operational Readiness Inspections, except this is done under NATO standards."

The AirSouth team travels to NATO bases throughout the region to give the same type of evaluation.

The evaluation was delayed three times in the last few years due to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Even with the wing's 555th Fighter Squadron and 603rd Air Control Squadrons forward-deployed to locations in Southwest Asia, the TACEVAL went on as planned.

"Normally this type of evaluation is conducted with two fighter squadrons," said General Worden. "We knew what was asked of us having only one squadron here and we did it with pride."

Other players besides the 31st Fighter Wing played a part in making this evaluation as real as possible. Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, provided four F-15E Strike Eagles to act as both enemy aircraft and air escort for Aviano's attack aircraft. The Italian air force also sent their Tornado aircraft as part of the air package.

"A lot of inspections you dread," said Colonel Brandt. "We haven't been dreading this; we've been looking forward to it."

RAF Lakenheath and Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, will undergo NATO TACEVALs later this year by AirNorth evaluators. Aviano Air Base is categorized under AirSouth, the southern region for NATO air operations.

"These evaluations are important because they tell NATO members what they need to improve based on our requirements," said Colonel Koutsoukos.

Colonel Brandt said the evaluators not only brought standards to test the wing, but also took information to help fellow NATO members improve their processes.

"We had a lot to share with them on how we do business and a lot to learn from them," he said.