210509-F-KY598-1449

U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Schnell, 435th Contingency Response Squadron assistant director of operations, uses a terrain model to rehearse a joint forcible entry mission into Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, with the 435th Contingency Response Group airfield assessment and first-in security team during exercise Swift Response 21 at Pápa Air Base, Hungary, May 9, 2021. During the exercise, the 435th CRG executed the opening and operating of an airfield in an austere environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
210510-F-KY598-1064

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Sean Gilliland, 435th Contingency Response Squadron radio frequency transmissions systems technician, prepares for joint forcible entry into Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, during exercise Swift Response 21 at Pápa Air Base, Hungary, May 10, 2021. The 435th Contingency Response Group, attached to the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is the only contingency response force in the U.S. Air Force that maintains an airborne insertion capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
210511-F-KY598-1102

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cameron Piontek, 435th Contingency Response Squadron contingency air traffic controller, secures an initial operating perimeter after joint forcible entry into Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, during exercise Swift Response 21, May 11, 2021. Rapid airfield security, assessment and performance of initial airfield operations enabled joint delivery of troops and heavy equipment cargo in a simulated contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
210511-F-KY598-1158

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacklyn Edgmond, 435th Security Forces Squadron ground combat readiness training center instructor, secures an initial operating perimeter after joint forcible entry into Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, during exercise Swift Response 21, May 11, 2021. During the exercise, the 435th Contingency Response Group sharpened its expeditionary skills and demonstrated its ability to stand-up core air mobility support functions and additional combat support functions that would enable self-sustained airfield operations in an austere location during a crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
210511-F-KY598-1482

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 446th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, drops Air Force and U.S. Army paratroopers onto Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, during exercise Swift Response 21, May 11, 2021. As part of DEFENDER-Europe, an annual large-scale U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led, multinational, joint exercise, Swift Response is one of several associated exercises designed to build strategic and operational readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
210511-F-KY598-1528

A paratrooper drops onto Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, during exercise Swift Response 21, May 11, 2021. The exercise included airborne operations in Estonia, Bulgaria and Romania involving more than 7,000 troops from 11 countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
210511-F-KY598-1681

U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Schnell, 435th Contingency Response Squadron assistant director of operations, prepares for night operations during exercise Swift Response 21 at Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, May 11, 2021. The 435th Contingency Response Group provides 24/7 alert capabilities through scalable, cross-functional and rapidly deployable forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
210512-F-KY598-1128

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Group and U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team secure the airfield after the arrival of additional 435th CRG Airmen during exercise Swift Response 21 at Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, May 12, 2021. In support of the National Defense Strategy and NATO deterrence objectives, Swift Response 21 built strategic readiness by mobilizing and deploying forces, sustaining them in a training environment and redeploying them when their mission is complete. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
210512-F-KY598-1418

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Group support military personnel and heavy equipment offload from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, during exercise Swift Response 21 at Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, May 12, 2021. The 435th CRG is dedicated to opening and operating airfields in austere environments, enabling the employment of airpower anywhere in the U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Swift Response 21: 435th CRG opens airfield after joint forcible entry

Published May 17, 2021
By Senior Airman John R. Wright
86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs

CHESHNEGIROVO AIRFIELD, Bulgaria --

The 435th Contingency Response Group executed the opening and operating of an airfield after joint forcible entry into Cheshnegirovo Airfield, Bulgaria, during exercise Swift Response 21, May 11-12, 2021.

Rapid airfield security and assessment, and performance of initial airfield operations enabled joint delivery of troops and heavy equipment cargo in a simulated contested environment.

210509-F-KY598-1449

210510-F-KY598-1064

210511-F-KY598-1102

210511-F-KY598-1158

210511-F-KY598-1482

210511-F-KY598-1528

210511-F-KY598-1681

210512-F-KY598-1128

210512-F-KY598-1418