TUZLA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – On a rainy afternoon, a speck appears on the horizon over the not-so-distant mountains surrounding the city of Tuzla, whose name translates as “place of salt.” Before long, lights appear as the tiny dot takes the shape of an aircraft. What touches down on the calm flight line of Tuzla International Airport is a military aircraft rarely seen by the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina since the turn of the century.
The presence of the C-130H Hercules aircraft from the 179th Airlift Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, is just one way the United States is working alongside its partners in this European country. The cargo aircraft represents a partnership between the United States and BiH that has been forged and strengthened since 2003.
“This U.S. Air Force aircraft is a symbol,” explains U.S. Army Lt. Col. Corey Shea, chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo. “It is a symbol of continued U.S. commitment to stability and security of BiH, continued U.S. commitment to the people of BiH. And, a symbol of a strong and enduring partnership with the Armed Forces of BiH, which we expect to continue.”
From Sept. 9-12, members of the U.S. Air Force and Army and the Maryland and Ohio National Guard, shared tactics, techniques and procedures with members of the AFBiH on public affairs and strategic communication, cargo loading and unloading procedures, and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) operations.
“This is the NATO partnership in action,” said U.S. Ambassador Eric Nelson, U.S. Embassy in BiH. “This event is helping to enable the AFBiH to interoperate with NATO allies like the United States armed forces. It’s very important for future deployments of the AFBiH as trusted peacekeepers, as trusted partners in the fight against counter-terrorism.”
When the C-130 touched down on the flight line Sept. 9, it marked the start of the Silver Arrow in BiH training event. For several days, AFBiH members learned C-130 cargo loading and unloading procedures and instructions on JTAC operations - a new capability for the AFBiH. Participants engaged in realistic training scenarios received hands-on experience and developed cooperation and teamwork skills.
Throughout the week, service members could be seen bustling around the flight line. A mix of languages could be heard over the sounds of ratchets clicking to secure cargo onto pallets, flight line radio communications, and the sounds of camera shutters snapping as U.S. and AFBiH service members worked together as one team.
“So far, I have not had the opportunity to work with U.S. service members,” says Semira Kustura, 5th Battalion of Logistic Support platoon commander. “I am extremely honored to be a part of this team.”
Once the dust settled after the C-130 aircraft landed, members of the 179th Airlift Wing and the 435th Contingency Response Support Squadron, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Air Forces Africa, demonstrated how to load and unload cargo.
“We are excited to learn from AFBiH, as well as teach tactics and some of the things we do,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Frank Zaunscherb, a C-130 pilot, assigned to the 179th Airlift Wing, Ohio National Guard.
AFBiH members also trained in JTAC operations. Using maps and radios, they directed the flight path of one of the two UH-1H Iroquois helicopters from the 2nd Helicopter Squadron, Air Force Brigade, AFBiH.
“This event is of great importance for the Armed Forces of BiH because, through the implementation of this exercise, BiH has, in essence, created new capabilities that are prescribed by JTAC,” says AFBiH Lt. Gen. Senad Mašović, chief of joint staff AFBiH. “AFBiH gained a new ability that ensures more competent and secure performance of these missions while, through practical exercise, improving our capacity and cooperation with U.S. armed forces as our strategic partner.”
The JTAC training strengthened the bilateral partnership between the two countries.
“I’m glad to be here on this exercise and to work with and meet our colleagues from the U.S. Air Force,” says AFBiH Sgt. Muhidin Pamuk of Unexploded Ordnance Company, Demining Battalion. “[I’m glad to] also [practice] the procedures we use for controlling aircraft. I’m always glad to learn new things and improve.”
During the training, the AFBiH public affairs team also established a media information center and tested its strategic communication program. In June, the Maryland National Guard’s Public Affairs Office helped the AFBiH PA draft a strategic communications plan. The combined team created photos, videos and written products and social media and released the information to the public. The success of the MIC was measured by reach and engagement on social media and placement in local and international news.
Before the training, members from the MDNG PAO, the Special Operations Command Regional Information Support Team, and the AFBiH public affairs team completed plans to provide full-spectrum joint PA efforts throughout Silver Arrow in BiH.
“This [construct] was formed as a temporary MIC to support the Silver Arrow in BiH training event and to do the best job to present this event to the public,” says AFBiH Maj. Aleksandar Krunic, the deputy MIC officer. “Making this MIC a permanent structure would be a good idea and would allow for more effective public affairs in AFBiH.”
The MIC was split into teams dedicated to specific functions such as media relations, online media to include social media, and photo/video production. The MIC was staffed and run by AFBiH members with guidance from the U.S. members. The smaller events throughout the week prepared members of the MIC for the culminating event.
On the final day of Silver Arrow in BiH the AFBiH PA hosted an open house at Tuzla International Airport where an overview of AFBiH operational capabilities, vehicles, weapons and equipment were displayed for members of the BiH presidency, senior officials of the U.S. Embassy in BiH and civilian authorities. Representatives of the Ministry of Defense of BiH, the Joint Staff of the AFBiH, commands and units of the AFBiH and primary and secondary school students from the Tuzla region also attended.
“For me, the real important piece of this mission is it provided an opportunity for the AFBiH to demonstrate its capabilities to its population,” Shea said. “We live in a day and age where few militaries do everything on their own. The AFBiH, with their limited resources, provide a lot of services to their population. But, your average Bosnian citizen doesn’t know that.”
After the open house, the cargo was loaded one final time onto the C-130. The sound of the engine’s roar was almost deafening as it rolled into position on the flight line. As the aircraft took off, it once again became a speck over the surrounding hills — marking the end of the Silver Arrow in BiH training event.
“The departure of the aircraft signals the end of a chapter in what is an enduring story, and that’s a story of partnership,” said Shea.