Russian delegation visits USAFE bases

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany: A Russian delegation visited two U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases April 27 through May 1 to discuss theater security cooperation between the U.S. and Russian air forces.

The meeting was approved during last year's U.S.-Russia Work Plan process after more than a year in planning, said Maj. Scott Ogledzinski, the Headquarters USAFE deputy chief of the Europe and Eurasia branch.

"The visit is definitely a good news story," Major Ogledzinski said. "This is the first time ever that we've been able to bring action officer-level representatives from around the world to talk about theater security cooperation engagement opportunities between our two air forces."

During their visit, the Russians visited officials at USAFE at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and the Joint Fires Center of Excellence at Spangdahlem AB. At Spangdahlem AB, they were given a tour of JFCoE and briefing by Lt. Col. Daniel Hawkins, the Air to Ground School commander.

While visiting USAFE, Major Ogledzinski said the group discussed "engagement opportunities for the two air forces," as well as plan for future visits. "By visiting (JFCoE), the Russian delegation will have a better idea of who from the Russian air force is best to send to the familiarization event later this summer."

"During the visit later this summer, the Russian delegation will learn more about how the U.S. Air Force conducts close-air support and forward air controller training," Major Ogledzinski said. "Hopefully, they can take some of the things they learn during this trip back to their units in Russia.

"The goal is to provide more interoperability between our two air forces should the two conduct operations together in the future for example multi-national peace keeping operations," the major said.

Visitors on this trip were Russian Federation air force representatives Col. Aleksandr Razygraev, Lt. Col. Sergey Izvekov and Lt. Col. Denis Kondrashkin. U.S. representatives present for the visits came from USAFE, NORAD, Pacific Air Forces, 11th Air Force, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and the air attache to Russia from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.