A Heavy Moment at Ramstein Air Base

C-130s from the Air National Guard wait on the flightline here Sept 2, 2014, just days before they'll be loaded up with Army and Air Force paratroopers to support the Steadfast Javelin II exercise. Steadfast Javelin II is a NATO-led exercise involving more than 2,000 service members from several nations, and takes place across Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The exercise focuses on increasing interoperability and synchronizing complex operations between allied air and ground forces through airborne and air-assault missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards)

A Heavy Moment at Ramstein Air Base

Ramstein welcomes partners for NATO exercise

Published Sept. 3, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 86th Airlift Wing opened its flightline to Air National Guard C-130 Hercules' from six states and U.S. Transportation Command C-17 Globemaster IIIs Aug. 31, to support an international, Allied exercise.

Exercise Steadfast Javelin II features a number of dynamic events designed to challenge multi-national forces in airborne operations, conventional warfare scenarios as well stability and defensive operations, and support of civil authorities operations.

A few of Ramstein's own C-130J Super Hercules' aircraft will take part in the exercise by facilitating personnel and equipment air drops in support of airfield seizure to reinforce the U.S. commitment to the peace and security of Europe.

"We're really excited to be working with our Army brothers and Allied partners during this exercise," said Capt. Scott Vander Ploeg, 37th Airlift Squadron flight commander and C-130J instructor pilot. "It is also important to recognize our gracious German hosts; it is because of their support that we are able to practice our multi-national, strategic airlift capabilities here at Ramstein."

The exercise features participation from 16 different nations, with more than 5,800 personnel. Steadfast Javelin II is designed to prepare U.S. and multi-national service members for decisive and sustainable land operations through simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations and on interoperability with partner nations.

Multinational partners participating in this exercise include the following NATO allies: Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, United Kingdom, and the United States; and the following NATO Partnership for Peace nations: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Sweden.

The exercise will continue until Sept. 11.