Four U.S. Air Force crew chiefs had the opportunity to participate in a two-day exchange with German air force counterparts while at Blue Flag 2017.
UVDA AIR FORCE BASE, Israel --
On the first day of the exchange, two German airmen shadowed the Americans as they prepared and launched F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy.
For the German maintainers, who are trained on multiple types of aircraft, it was a drill in familiarization aimed at refreshing their knowledge of the F-16.
One of the participants in the exchange was U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cody Linholm, a crew chief with the 510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. He spent the first day of the exchange walking his German counterpart through his routine.
"We showed them a step-by-step launch," Linholm said, "the danger areas of the jet, where to go if hydrazine was to spill on the jet, and things like that."
After shadowing the Americans for both morning and afternoon sorties, the following day the Germans invited four U.S. crew chiefs to shadow them as they prepared Eurofighter Typhoons for a day of flying.
"For us, it was a great experience to go over and actually work with the Germans," said Capt. Jonathan Tolman, 510th AMU officer in charge. "While the U.S. Air Force does not fly or maintain the Eurofighter, it was still an opportunity to get out and experience something different, especially for our young maintainers."
In addition to learning about how each country prepares their aircraft for a day of flying, the exchange, as well as Blue Flag as a whole, gave Airmen the opportunity to network and build partnership capacity.
"We are really excited about working with the Israelis and different forces from all over the world," said a German air force crew chief. "It's a great opportunity to come closer together and to learn new things about different cultures."
"We'll leave with new friendships and new experiences," he continued.
Blue Flag 2017 is a biennial multinational exercise hosted by Israel. This year, for the third iteration of the exercise, eight partner nations trained together to improve coordination, integration and tactical effectiveness.
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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Noah Luis Rivera, left, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, shows a German air force crew chief, right, how he prepares a F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, for a day of flying during Blue Flag 17 at Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, Nov. 7. This biennial exercise, hosted by Israel, is designed to further improve interoperability and strengthen relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Abby L. Finkel)
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cody Linholm, left, 510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, speaks with a German air force crew chief as they prepare a German Eurofighter Typhoon for a day of flying at Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, Nov. 8, during Blue Flag 17. The U.S. Air Force's participation in Blue Flag 17 demonstrates our nation's commitment to collective defense and improves cooperation, integration and tactical effectiveness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Abby L. Finkel)
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A German Eurofighter Typhoon taxis out of a hardened shelter to begin the first sortie of the day at Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, Nov. 8, during Blue Flag 17. Exercises like Blue Flag further strengthen the relationships between participating nations and promote regional peace and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Abby L. Finkel)
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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Noah Luis Rivera, right, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, shadows a German air force crew chief at Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, Nov. 8, during Blue Flag 17. Throughout the exercise, participating nations work together in developing the interoperability necessary for maintaining and improving Israel's defensive capacity against external threats. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Abby L. Finkel)
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A German air force crew chief, left, watches as U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Noah Luis Rivera, right, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, prepares a F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, to launch at Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, Nov. 7, in support of Blue Flag 17. This biennial exercise is essential to building and maintaining defensive interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Abby L. Finkel)
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cody Linholm, left, 510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, watches two German air force crew chiefs prepare a German Eurofighter Typhoon for a morning sortie at Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, Nov. 8, during Blue Flag 17. The goal of Blue Flag is to exercise military partnerships and strategic cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Abby L. Finkel)
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A German air force crew chief, right, shadows U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Noah Luis Rivera, left, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, as he marshals a F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, during Blue Flag 17 at Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, Nov. 7. Participation in exercises like Blue Flag further strengthen the relationship between the U.S. Air Force and partner nations and promote regional peace and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Abby L. Finkel)
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