Page 16 - The Dispatch May 2019

TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT

Razem Silniejsi

WINGS OVER POLAND PROVES WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER

Story by: Tech. Sgt. Kristina Overton ments with Polish F-16 Fighting Falcons, combat offloads,
136th Airlift Wing Public Affairs and high velocity container delivery system drops. Training
The last aircraft touched down on the runway ramp, as pi- together facilitated a platform to build relationships, and
lots from the 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard formed a conduit for the exchange information and skills
and Polish Air Force concluded training for Aviation Rota- useful in future operations.
tion 19.1, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. During
the exercise, Airmen strengthened capabilities between “We are happy that Airmen from the 136th Airlift Wing
U.S. and NATO allies through participation in strategic joint were here with us,” said Col. Grzegorz Kołodziejczyk, Pow-
force operations and training to enhance partner interop- idz Air Base commander. “We are always happy to work
erability and maintain combined readiness. with Texas. You have been flying the C-130 longer than us,
and you gave us your knowledge. Thank you again for your
These rotations have proven vital in maintaining theater visit, you are always welcome here at Powidz.”
security by increasing overall presence and further en-
hancing the United State's commitment to NATO partners During a ceremony, the Polish Air Force hosted a celebra-
such as Poland. tory dinner for the entire team. Both air forces expressed
their gratitude for the experience and presented each oth-
“The exercise was very successful," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey er with parting mementos.
Mull, 136th Airlift Wing deployed squadron commander.
"You have two countries that are very interested in bilat- “One of the Polish flight patches they gave us says 'Razem
eral training, and though the 136th Airlift Wing has nev- Silniejsi,' which translates to 'Stronger Together,'" Mull
er flown with the Polish Air Force before, their expertise said. "The saying is 100 years old, and American Airmen
merged seamlessly with ours as far as the execution of the have been flying alongside the Polish Air Force since 1919.
tactical airlift mission goes. Typical to any of our opera- We understand the importance of our mission here for
tions, we overcame weather and maintenance, and were both of our countries, and we look forward to continuing
able to accomplish some excellent training together.” our work together in the future.”-D

Throughout the Aviation Rotation, the two air forces were (Top) 1st Lt. Chad Douglass, 181st Airlift Squadron C-130H2 Hercules
able to engage in a number of combined training events: co-pilot, mans the controls above the Polish countryside during a for-
formation flights in C-130 Hercules aircraft, fighter engage- mation flight with the Polish Air Force on March 13, 2019.
(U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Kornegay)
16 TheDISPATCH May 2019