Last two Dacian Thunder 2009 A-10Cs returned to Spang

Posted today on the Dutch Scramble Message Board:

The two missing A-10s returned to SP on 3.11. as "Hawg 01/02" and landed at 11.40 lcl. Please check: A-10s back

Related info:
At least three Dacian Thunder 2009 A-10Cs returned to Spang
All five Dacian Thunder 2009 A-10Cs identified now

At least three Dacian Thunder 2009 A-10Cs returned to Spang

Posted today on the Dutch Scramble Message Board:
Hawg 02,04,05 3 x A-10s landed SP between 1152-54 lcl, working Langen 279.050,275.3,375.7 then Arrival 341.475 ; a/a 138.125 and 389.7 both OPS. Hawg 01 and 03 probably diverted somewhere en-route to SP. Please check: A-10s back

Related info:
All five Dacian Thunder 2009 A-10Cs identified now

U.S., Romanian Airmen perform combined air demo

Released today by 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



CAMPI TURZII, Romania – A-10C 81-0983 takes off from the runway of the 71st Air Base Wing in Romania during an aerial demonstration while deployed in support of Operation Dacian Thunder 2009 October 26, 2009. During the operation the U.S. Air Force flew about 100 sorties; half of which were with the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAMPI TURZII, Romania – A-10C 82-0656 II flies over the 71st Air Base Wing in Romania during an aerial demonstration while deployed in support of Operation Dacian Thunder 2009 October 26, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAMPI TURZII, Romania – A MIG 21 takes off from the runway of the 71st Air Base Wing in Romania during an aerial demonstration as part of Operation Dacian Thunder 2009 October 26, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAMPIA TURZII, Romania – An A-10 Thunderbolt II banks over Humvees and a Romanian Puma helicopter while American and Romanian Airmen jump out during a search and rescue demonstration on the flightline of the 71st Air Base Wing in Romania October 28, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res

Source

Sabers deploy to Romania for Operation Dacian Thunder

Released today by 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



CAMPIA TURZII, Romania – A group of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs sit ready to take off while deployed in support of Operation Dacian Thunder 2009 October 26, 2009. The aircraft are (from right): A-10Cs 81-0983, 82-0656, 82-0650, and an unidentified jet. During the operation the U.S. Air Force flew about 100 sorties; half of which were with the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAMPI TURZII, Romania – Airman 1st Class Christopher Snodgrass, 81 Aircraft Maintenance Unit, stands in front of an A-10 Thunderbolt II piloted by 1st Lt. Ken Lancaster, 81st Fighter Squadron, while deployed in support of Operation Dacian Thunder 2009 October 26, 2009. The aircraft is A-10C 81-0983. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAMPI TURZII, Romania – Airman 1st Class Christopher Snodgrass, 81 Aircraft Maintenance Unit, gives hand signals to A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot 1st Lt. Ken Lancaster, 81st Fighter Squadron, while deployed in support of Operation Dacian Thunder 2009 October 26, 2009. The aircraft is A-10C 81-0983. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAMPIA TURZII, Romania – A MIG 21 taxis past A-10C 82-0654 on the flightline of the 71st Air Base Wing October, 26, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAMPIA TURZII, Romania – A-10C 81-0983 from the 81st Fighter Squadron provides close air support during a training mission for operation Dacian Thunder 2009 at the 71st Air Base Wing in Romania October 29, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAPMIA TURZII, Romania – A joint terminal attack controller calls in an A-10 Thunderbolt II for close air support during a training mission for Operation Dacian Thunder 2009 at the 71st Air Base Wing in Romania October 29, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res

Source

All five Dacian Thunder 2009 A-10Cs identified now

Thanks to two videos, released by USAF on their public main website, the remaining unknown Hogs are identified now. And so, the following five A-10Cs from the 81st FS, 52nd FW, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, participated in Dacian Thunder 2009: 81-0983, 81-0992, 82-0650, 82-0654 (still wrong marked as 81-0654), and 82-0656. Anybody who knows their announced arrival date back at Spang? If yes, German aircraft spotters would be on place on the right time.

Dacian Thunder 2009 videos by USAF

On their public main website, USAF released two video clips of Dacian Thunder 2009:



Dacian Thunder





Dacian Thunder Mission in Romania



Note: To view the videos, please click the refresh button on your browser. I'm still very busy to find out permanent links.

Dacian Thunder 2009 - More official Romanian MoND photos

Additional official imagery, provided by the Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MoND):



Beautiful Romanian female journalist in the cockpit of A-10C 82-0654. (Photo by Cornel Mituţ) Hi-res



(Photo by Cornel Mituţ) Hi-res



(Photo by Cornel Mituţ) Hi-res



(Photo by Cornel Mituţ) Hi-res



(Photo by Cornel Mituţ) Hi-res



(Photo by Cornel Mituţ) Hi-res



(Photo by Cornel Mituţ) Hi-res

Source

Note: Captions will be added.

Senior leaders stress partnership during visit to Romania

Released today by 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



CAMPIA TURZII, Romania – Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, speaks to U.S. and Romanian airmen and the Romanian press on the flightline of the 71st Air Base Wing here October 28, 2009. General Brady; Mark Gitenstein, U.S. Ambassador to Romania; and Maj. Gen. Ion-Aurel Stancui, chief of staff of the Romanian air force, visited the base during Operation Dacian Thunder. During the combined training exercise, the U.S. Air Force flew about 100 sorties; half of those sorties were flown with the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res



CAMPIA TURZII, Romania – Lt. Col. Ronald Steuwe, 81st Fighter Squadron commander, addresses question from the Romanian press after the last day of combined flying exercises in support of Operation Dacian Thunder. Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander; Mark Gitenstein, U.S. Ambassador to Romania; and Maj. Gen. Ion-Aurel Stancui, chief of staff of the Romanian air force, visited the base and viewed an aerial demonstration during the operation. During the combined training exercise, the U.S. Air Force flew about 100 sorties; half of those sorties were flown with the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Greg Hignite) Hi-res



CAMPIA TURZII, Romania – Commander Laurian Anastasof, 71st Air Base Wing commandant, exchanges patches with Lt. Col. Ronald Steuwe, 81st Fighter Squadron commander, after the last day of combined flying exercises in support of Operation Dacian Thunder. Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander; Mark Gitenstein, U.S. Ambassador to Romania; and Maj. Gen. Ion-Aurel Stancui, chief of staff of the Romanian air force, visited the base and viewed an aerial demonstration during the operation. During the combined training exercise, the U.S. Air Force flew about 100 sorties; half of those sorties were flown with the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Greg Hignite) Hi-res

Source

Dacian Thunder 2009 in Romanian news

Dacian Thunder 2009 / Primul "val" de avioane americane a ajuns la Luna

Scris de Emil HĂLĂŞTUAN
Joi, 08 Octombrie 2009 09:52
ZIARUL 21

Primul "val", format din două avioane americane A-10 Thunderbolt, care urmează să participe la exerciţiul de zbor în comun româno-american "Dacian Thunder 2009", au aterizat miercuri, 7 octombrie, la Baza 71 Aeriană Câmpia Turzii. Până în 12 octombrie, data începerii exerciţiului de zbor "Dacian Thunderbolt 2009", la baza aeriană din Câmpia Turzii vor mai ajunge şase aparate de zbor de tip A-10 Thunderbolt.

Ofiţerul pentru relaţii publice al Bazei Aeriene 71 Câmpia Turzii, locotenent-comandorul Marian Dobre, a spus că la acest exerciţiu de zbor, ce se va desfăşura din 12 până în 29 octombrie, aviatorii români vor executa misiuni de acoperire aeriană cu 12 aparate Mig 21 Lancer, iar avioanele americane A-10 Thunderboldt vor simula atacuri aeriene la sol. Elicopterele româneşti IAR 330 SOCAT vor face exerciţii de recuperare a militarilor răniţi pe teatrul de luptă. Dobre a precizat că aviatorii români şi cei americani vor executa misiuni atât separat cât şi împreună. Înainte de încheierea exerciţiului s-ar putea ca avioanele americane A-10 Thunderbolt şi Mig-urile 21 Lancer să fie pilotate de echipaje mixte, alcătuite din aviatori români şi americani, a mai adăugat Dobre.

Cele opt aeronave americane A-10 Thunderboldt, ce vor lua parte la exerciţiul de aviaţie "Dacian Thunderbolt 2009" aparţin forţelor aeriene americane din Europa, dislocate la Baza aeriană de la Spangdahlen, Germania.

Pe lângă cei 250 de militari americani, la exerciţiul "Dacian Thunder 2009" participă peste 300 de militari din bazele aeriene 71 Câmpia Turzii, 90 Bucureşti-Otopeni şi 95, Bacău.

Într-o scurtă declaraţie de presă, locotenent-colonelul Scott Hurrelbrink, director asistent pentru operaţii, la Baza aeriană americană de la Spangdahlen, s-a referit la utilitatea acestui exerciţiu şi la buna colaborare cu aviatorii militari români.
Obiectivul exerciţiului este perfecţionarea nivelului de pregătire şi executare a misiunilor specifice operaţiilor aeriene şi a activităţilor de asigurare a sprijinului acţiunilor de luptă, a mai precizat Marian Dobre. Acesta a spus că exerciţiul care va începe în 12 octombrie este cel de-al doilea din acest an executat în comun cu aviaţia americană dislocată în Europa. Colaborarea dintre Baza 71 Aeriană Câmpia Turzii şi aviatorii americani datează din 2008, când la aeroportul militar de la Luna au mai avut loc două exerciţii comune, executate de piloţi din armatele României şi Statelor Unite ale Americii.

Ultima actualizare (Joi, 08 Octombrie 2009 09:59)

Associated pictures:





Source


Related A-10 pictures, titled "Lupte aeriene romano-americane la Campia Turzii", and released by City News:













Source

Related video from YouTube:



Warthog News contributor Michael Tischer from Germany contributed to this post.

Dacian Thunder 2009 - Official Romanian MoND info

First official info from the Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MoND) about "DACIAN THUNDER 2009" Romanian-American common flight exercise:

Press release No. 353 / 6th October 2009

"DACIAN THUNDER 2009" Romanian-American common flight exercise

The first US flying echelon of A 10 Thunderbolt II to participate in "DACIAN THUNDER 2009" Romanian-American common flight exercise will land Wednesday, October 7, at the 71st Air Base Campia Turzii, starting 1,30 p.m.

More than 250 US soldiers with 8 airplanes A 10 Thunderbolt II and the adequate equipment from the 81FS/52 FW USAFE deployed in Spangdahlem, Germany will participate in "DACIAN THUNDER 2009" exercise to be developed between October 12 and 29, at the 71st Air Base Campia Turzii. The Romanian Air Force Staff will participate with more than 300 soldiers from the 71st Air Base Campia Turzii and the 90th Air Transport Base Otopeni with 12 MiG 21 LanceRs and 4 IAR 330 SOCAT helicopters.

The exercise aims to improve the training level and perform of air operation specific missions and the combat support actions.

Source

Related photos from album "The airplanes' arrival":



The US A-10 Thunderbolt II in "DACIAN THUNDER 2009")- (Photo by Sorin Săftoiu) Hi-res



A-10 81-0992. (Photo by Sorin Săftoiu) Hi-res



A-10 81-0992. (Photo by Sorin Săftoiu) Hi-res

Related photo from album "Aspects from the opening of the exercise":



Joint patrol - U.S. Warthogs and Romanian MiG-21s. (Photo by Marian Dobre) Hi-res

Deployed Sabers reach out to Romanian community

by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson
52nd Fighter Wing, Public Affairs

10/27/2009 - CAMPIA TURZII, Romania -- Members of the 52nd Fighter Wing deployed to Campia Turzii, Romania, recently donated their time and money to help renovate a children's community center dedicated to helping local children with their academic studies.

"I think it is awesome to come into an area and provide help for their people," said Master Sgt. Sheryl Monroe, 52nd Communications Squadron first sergeant. "It strengthens community relations and keeps them wanting us to come back and train."

The deployed members provided aesthetic upgrades and school supplies to center. They also hope to raise enough money to donate a computer before they leave.

The center has teachers on staff and works with about 250 families in the local community helping about 50 children with their school work.

Airmen deployed from Spangdahlem were glad to help with the community's efforts to improve their children's quality of life.

"I asked the first sergeant if there would be any special activities happening during the TDY and she told me about this project," said Staff Sgt. Dennis Sawyer, 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron. "No matter where you are in the world there are kids in need, and if helping this school out gives them a better future, I am more than happy to help."

The servicemembers are in Romania supporting Operation Dacian Thunder, a combined training exercise with the Romanian air force.



CAMPIA TURZII, Romania – Children from the town of Turda, Romania, smile in front of a static display of an A-10 Thunderbolt II while visiting the 71st Air Base Wing Oct. 26. Members of Spangdalem Air Base deployed in support of Operation Dacian Thunder 2009 explained the parts of the A-10 and let them operate the hose of a fire truck during their visit. The deployed units also donated money and time to help renovate a community center dedicated to helping local children with their academic studies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson) Hi-res

Note: This is A-10C 82-0654, still with wrong serial number markings (AF 81 654).

Source

81st FS conducts combined training with Romanian air force

CAMPIA-TURZII, Romania -- An 81st Fighter Squadron pilot prepares to shoot the A-10 Thunderbolt II's 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun during training at a range here October 22, 2009. Precise weapons delivery is one of the 81st FS' priorities while training here, as pilots are able to utilize many of the A-10s capabilities. "This deployment offers tremendous training opportunities for an A-10 squadron," said Lt. Col. Ronald Stuewe, 81st FS commander. "We plan on maximizing the events that are difficult to obtain from home station – low altitude, chaff and flare employment, and basic weapons delivery. The potential ability to utilize our Data-Link (a computer network for communication between aircraft) will be critical in the European Command Area of Responsibility and will truly allow the squadron to train like we fight." (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Kathleen Polesnak) Hi-res

Note: This could be A-10C 81-0983 with Sniper XR targeting pod on station 10.

by 2nd Lt. Kathleen Polesnak
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/27/2009 - CAMPIA TURZII, Romania -- The 81st Fighter Squadron has teamed up with the Romanian Air Force to conduct training and exchange perspectives to help boost mission capabilities and foster collaboration among NATO partners.

About 250 Airmen and five A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 52nd Fighter Wing are part of Dacian Thunder, a combined training exercise with the Romanian air force, aimed at enhancing both countries' ability to conduct combined search and rescue operations, air-to-air and air-to-ground sorties, and weapons delivery.

So far, the squadron has completed more than 70 sorties, about 20 of which have been in conjunction with Romanian air force assets, including Super Puma helicopters and MiG-21s.

"We're very excited to be here," said Lt. Col. Ronald Stuewe, 81st FS commander, "not just for our training aspect - which is considerable - but our ability to engage in work with our NATO partners - with the Romanians."

"This deployment offers tremendous training opportunities for an A-10 squadron," Colonel Stuewe added. "We plan on maximizing the events that are difficult to obtain from home station - low altitude, chaff and flare employment, and basic weapons delivery."

This includes the A-10-C's Situational Awareness Data Link, a computer network that connects pilots to each other and ground forces making weapons delivery a more accurate, efficient process.

"The training has been outstanding because we've been able to utilize the full capabilities of our aircraft," said Capt. David Befort, an 81st FS pilot.

Besides being able to flex all the A-10's muscles, the experience of flying over new terrain is also exciting, Colonel Stuewe said.

"On the flying side, the countryside is absolutely beautiful. It's a very nice time of year - the trees are turning, there's snow on the mountains and there's beautiful terrain in the valleys," he said.



CAMPIA-TURZII, Romania -- A-10C 82-0650 from the 81st Fighter Squadron stands ready on the flightline here October 22, 2009, for an early-morning take-off. The 81st FS conducted more than 100 sorties during Dacian Thunder, a month-long combined exercise with the Romanian air force focused on enhancing their ability to execute combat search and rescue, air-to-air and air-to-ground, and weapons delivery missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Kathleen Polesnak) Hi-res

Note: Sniper XR targeting pod on station 10.

Source

Dear Warthog News readers:
At the moment, I'm very busy to get some more online info about CAMPIA-TURZII, Romania.

First hit: 71st Airbase "General Emanoil Ionescu"



Second hit: ROAF Air Bases Map by Scramble

Note:
This post will be further updated.