CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Task Force Aviation, made up of the Idaho and New Jersey Army National Guard, assigned to the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission’s Regional Command-East (RC-E) hosted an International Partner Multi-Ship Familiarization Flight (IPMFF) May 12.
An IPMFF is a joint training exercise conducted by military forces from different countries. The RC-E’s U.S. contingent of Task Force Aviation led this IPMFF training, and they were joined in flight by Hungarian and Swiss aviation forces.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Derek Wesel, 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, Idaho Army National Guard, was the air mission commander (AMC) of the flight. He said the intent of the IPMFF exercise was to build relationships between the NATO allies and partners, and to learn how to operate and communicate effectively together. Additionally, he said the KFOR mission is a unique opportunity for the aircrews.
“Most aircrew will only have an opportunity like this once in their careers,” Wesel said. “It’s an opportunity that we only get in an environment like this. We can learn things both from observing how they operate, and about ourselves as we plan, brief and communicate about the operation in a way that is as clear, basic and concise as possible.”
KFOR’s air assets are a necessity, and these capabilities are used for peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. Task Force Aviation delivers aerial insertions of infantry troops to remote areas of the Administrative Boundary Line, provides the Joint Implementation Commission Soldiers with aerial patrols, and conducts real-world and training medical evacuations.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Brandon Martinez, 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, Idaho Army National Guard, is the task force aviation assistant operations officer and air mission request coordinator. He was one of the pilots during the IPMFF, and he said the exercise was an experience that will not often be presented in his career.
“Flying in a multinational multi-ship was an awesome experience,” Martinez said. “Being able to compare standard operating procedures, share tactics and observe their techniques is a once in a lifetime event for most aviators.”
All multinational aircrew members were briefed together before the flight and meticulously reviewed procedures, including flight formations, plain-language communication they would use and flight manifests.
Three types of aircraft were used during the flight. The U.S. troops were flying the UH-60 Black Hawk, the Hungarians were flying the H145M and the Swiss flew the AS532 Cougar aircraft.
The IPMFF enhanced the interoperability of KFOR’s air assets. Although he had never worked with these nations before, Wesel said he realized they shared many techniques and quickly adapted to working together. Additionally, Martinez said the mission readiness of all participants improved.
“Operating as part of a multinational task force increases our readiness,” Martinez said. “Now in the event that there is an air movement or mission that requires these different countries to operate together we know we have the ability to integrate and converge those resources without an increase in risk to safety or jeopardizing the task.”
KFOR is a peacekeeping operation comprising more than 30 troop-contributing nations. Many multinational interoperability training and missions are conducted daily, including patrols along the Administrative Boundary Line, Combat Lifesaving courses and weapons ranges.