Strengthening NATO through engineer engagements

Members from headquarters USAFE-AFAFRICA pose alongside Finnish air force and French army personnel following a rapid airfield damage repair demonstration conducted by the 435th Construction and Training Squadron during a visit at Ramstein Air Base, April 27.

In the wake of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, U.S. Air Forces in Europe engineers are looking for new ways to improve interoperability, engineer procedures, and build new capabilities where none existed previously.

As part of this effort, USAFE headquarters, in coordination with the 435th Construction and Training Squadron, hosted two partner engagements last week at Ramstein Air Base.

Cadre from the 435th Construction and Training Squadron instruct Finnish air force and French army personnel on fiber reinforced panel anchoring during a visit at Ramstein Air Base, April 27. Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa hosted NATO partners during the visit to improve interoperability, engineer procedures, and capabilities in austere environments. Photos by MSgt Gared Snyder

The first visit included delegations from the French and Finnish militaries who were interested in the U.S. Air Force’s processes on restoring airfield operating surfaces following enemy attacks, and the second visit included the Deputy Chief of Staff Support at NATO Air Command accompanied by his engineer support staff. Their visits primarily focused on updating NATO’s guiding documents and solidifying the concept of operation for all Partner Nations, as well as improving their understanding of airfield damage repair.

The engagements were beneficial for all parties and helped to strengthen the NATO alliance and engineer capabilities throughout Europe.

Brig. Gen. Gilles Juventin, deputy chief of staff at NATO Allied Air Command, fourth from left, and members of his engineer staff along with headquarters USAFE-AFAFRICA and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing personnel, watch a volumetric mixer demonstration by cadre from the 435th Construction and Training Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, April 28.