An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 11, 2015

Airmen from Maryland, Michigan and Pennsylvania highlight interoperability

By Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales 86th Airlift Wing

RIGA, Latvia - Airmen from three Air National Guard units took to the skies Tuesday to support 13 nations in developing and ensuring a stable Baltic region during Saber Strike 15.

Two KC-135 Stratotankers and their crews from Michigan and Pennsylvania joined A-10 Thunderbolts II from Maryland to provide close air support and keep that close-air-support flying longer.

Even though the exercise involves more than 6,000 military members working on their interoperability, the two Guard units are finding ways to be more efficient among themselves in order to get air support to other participants.

"No matter how similar they try to make it, everybody operates differently from the start," said Master Sgt. Gilbert Ruffing, Pennsylvania ANG maintenance superintendent. "What you do is (practice by) working together and finding out each others strengths and weaknesses then you come up with a plan where you all do it the same. This way when you are in a real-world situation you get better and better ... and have consistency and can find ways of doing better business."

Ruffing echoes the superb efforts of Air Guard members who have worked through equipment, aircraft and skill obstacles in a matter of days to become an efficient part of the larger machine.

"I think we have been able to bring everybody together using what they know," said Maj. Damon Antonetti, Pennsylvania ANG KC-135 pilot. "We meshed together well and are getting the job done. It's been great working with the Michigan ANG, they have been a good host to us. They are the lead unit, and they have good leadership."

Working with 55-plus year-old aircraft a few things are bound to break, however, this has not hampered the support provided by this critical air power platform during Saber Strike 15. Their ability to be flexible and work and fix problems together has enabled the ANG to continue providing fuel and air cover, maintaining subsequent missions that rely on the refuelers to complete their critical missions.

"That is our contribution to the war, to the effort and to the mission, is supporting that fighter, that bomber and that cargo aircraft so they can press on and continue to do their business. Knowing that we do that is a great feeling," said Ruffing.

No matter the aircraft, equipment, what part breaks, or the size of the unit, Saber Strike 15 enables interoperability between ally and partner nations, strengthening the bonds at all levels in order to effectively complete the mission.

 

 

Related Articles
From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Matthew Yu and Josh Miller, assigned to 146 Airlift Wing and 123rd Airlift Wing, practice stretcher carrying during an emergency management battlefield expeditionary response deployment for training at McCrady Training Center, Eastover, South Carolina, June 26, 2025. Yu and Miller participated in Fox EMBER to home in on their skills for mission readiness.
Fox EMBER Sharpens Airmen’s Skills in Joint Environment
By Master Sgt. Megan Floyd, | July 9, 2025
McCRADY TRAINING CENTER, S.C. – Traditionally focused on air base preparedness and recovery, emergency managers are stepping beyond the base fence line to train for new battlefield missions.Fox EMBER, short for Emergency...

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony Gonzalez, fire protection craftsman assigned to the 156th Civil Engineer Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, extinguishes a fire during a Deployment for Training (DFT) at Aviano Air Base, Italy, June 25, 2025. During the DFT, the 156th CES developed their skill proficiency in a new area of responsibility while supporting real-world projects that support the U.S. European Command operations.
Puerto Rico Air Guard Conducts Deployment for Training at Aviano
By Senior Airman Victoria Jewett, | July 7, 2025
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — U.S. Airmen with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard 156th Civil Engineer Squadron conducted a Deployment for Training June 16-27 in Italy to develop their skills proficiency within the U.S. European...

Airmen from the 168th Wing Medical Group, along with their counterparts from other Air National Guard units, conduct radiation monitoring during field training at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, June 2025. The training enhances the unit’s ability to detect and respond to radiological threats in deployed or contingency environments.
Alaska Air Guard 168th Medical Group Trains for High-Stakes Missions
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | July 7, 2025
ALPENA COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Mich. — The Alaska Air National Guard 168th Wing Medical Group continues to strengthen its operational edge, proving lethality in today’s battlespace isn’t just about combat power -...