168th ARW deploy in support of NOBLE AWARD 07

  • Published
  • By Compiled from staff reports
  • 168th Air Refeuling Wing
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Airmen from the 168th Air Refueling Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, are preparing to leave Eielson Air Force Base next week for a two-week deployment in support of NOBLE AWARD 07 (NAD 07) in Stavanger, Norway.

Sixty-six people from three Air National Guard units in Alaska, Nebraska and Hawaii will join with NATO forces in an exercise that is designed to improve the interoperability of assigned multinational forces.

NAD 07 is a major NATO exercise combining forces from the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark and other NATO countries. The forces will be training for joint operations and theater missile defense operations with a geographically distant operations center. This will show NATO's capability to orchestrate and conduct crisis response operations in a limited joint operation.

Emphasis will also be placed on using a common battle staff and air tasking order to maximize interoperability while minimizing conflicts and confusion.

NAD 07 also tests the logistics capabilities of the forces involved by exercising the deployment, reception, and redeployment procedures for NATO Response Force air units in and out of a deployable operational base.

"The 168th's participation in NATO AIR MEET 05, BRILLIANT ARROW 06 and now, NOBLE AWARD 07 provides a lot of training opportunities we don't get at home,"

said Maj. Andrew Loomis, 168th Air Refueling Squadron unit deployment manager.

"There we can practice NATO air refueling procedures, fly in some of the busiest airspace in the world and develop lasting relationships with our NATO allies.

"Our presence at Stavanger gives the Norwegian Air Force personnel a chance to work with NATO partners and practice bed down and support of inbound aircraft.

The Norwegian Air Force has always gone out of their way to take care of us and make us feel at home," Loomis added.

Members from the 168th Air Refueling Wing will deploy from May 10-25 in support of NOBLE AWARD 07.