Lakenheath Airmen support NATO summit
by Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie
323rd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
4/1/2008 - GRAF IGNATIEVO AIR BASE, Bulgaria (AFPN) -- The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's aircraft and Airmen currently are projecting airpower and establishing air superiority from Bulgaria in support of the NATO summit as part of Operation Noble Endeavor in Bucharest, Romania.
F-15 Eagles deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, are part of the NATO and U.S. forces providing military aircraft and infrastructure to assist in the air policing mission for the Bucharest summit.
"Most of NATO's top leaders are gathering at the same place at the same time, and we have been charged to augment the forces to protect them," said Lt. Col. Craig Wills, the 493rd EFS commander.
In this cooperation agreement, the U.S. Air Force will augment NATO's air policing mission. Bulgaria, one of NATO's newest members, is also providing key infrastructure and logistical support to this effort.
"We are here to support the summit in Bucharest by flying top cover," said Master Sgt. Kevin Price, a 493rd EFS maintenance project officer. "It's important we are successful in this mission because we are keeping the sky safe for the heads of state, so we can ensure positive international relations with our NATO allies."
The 493rd EFS mission in Bulgaria is one example of NATO partner nations working together to protect NATO assets and leaders.
"We absolutely could not do this without the support of the Bulgarian air force," Colonel Wills said.
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