Home  -  Gallery index  -  Publications - Associated website - Contact  On the web 

Thracian Thunder 2016

Karo-Aviation visit Graf Ignatievo airbase for Thracian Thunder 2016
Article and pictures by Rolph Klijn and Rob Nispeling

On the 23th of February we were warmly welcomed by the Bulgarian Air Force Public Relations Department to witness the bi-lateral exercise Thracian Thunder 2016. The exercise was held at the 3rd Air Base Graf Ignatievo from January 6th till March 25th. Special guests are twelve-A10C “Thunderbolt II” close air support aircraft from the 23Wing at Moody Air Base, GA. The famous “Flying Tigers”.

The A-10’s were taken from the three squadrons at this base, the 74FS, the 75FS and the 76FS, the last unit being from the Air Force Reserve. For the time of their deployment to Europe the aircraft of the three combined units operated under the designation 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.

During the briefing the commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, Major General Ruman Radev, took the time to give us a warm welcome. He started his career as a junior pilot in 1987 and has been a student at the war college at Maxwell air force base USA.

Being no stranger to the MiG-29, he commanded a MiG-29 squadron between 1996 and 1998. Flying a sortie himself in the morning he treated us to some “turns and burns” before he landed. He is probably best known to the public known for his impressive MiG-29 demonstration during one of the last air shows at Sofia airport.

At the moment the operational effectiveness of the Bulgarian MiG-29 is enhanced by a deal with Poland for engine and aircraft maintenance.

Theater security package

The deployment of the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is part of the theater security package. In witch the USA augments the U.S. Air Forces in Europe's existing efforts as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve by conducting flying training deployments and off-station training with NATO allies to further enhance interoperability.

Operation Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of U.S. European Command and United States Air Forces in Europe's continued commitment to the collective security of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region. The U.S. Air Force's forward presence in Europe area provides the support infrastructure needed to increase our current force and build new and deeper partnerships across the continent.

Rotations will generally last six months, depending on mission and U.S. European Command requirements. Although a first in Europe, the Air Force has been conducting similar theater security package rotations in the Pacific region since 2004.
 

For the 74 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron its deployment began earlier at the Air Base of Amari in Estonia, its twelve A-10C Thunderbolt II's contributed to multiple events and exercises while visiting fifteen countries, conducting nearly 1,190 sorties in support of the operation.
They returned from the deployment, March 22, 2016, at Moody AFB, Georgia.

During their stay at Graf Ignatievo the 74 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron participated in the exercise Thracian Thunder 2016. The Bulgarian Air Force put up their air superiority fighter, the MiG29 Fulcrum, and their ground pounder, the Su-25 Frogfoot. Being developed only a few years but also a world apart the A-10 and Su-25 share the same role: close air support.

The Su-25 proved its worth for the Russian Air Force in Afghanistan, Like the A-10 it is undergoing an upgrade program for life extension and operational effectiveness. This upgraded version saw its first action in Syria.

The A-10 has seen action in all major conflicts in which the US Air Force participated since the first Gulf war. Being threatened to be taken out of service recently because of budget cuts, the US Congress decided the unique A-10 cannot be missed for some years to come.

On the day we were at Graf Ignatievo the exercise included three MiG-29’s and three Su-25’s of the Bulgarian Air Force , complemented by eight A-10's of the 74 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.

For the Americans the exercise gives them a chance to fly and fight with and against an air force that uses Russian types. To make it more entertaining for them (or their Bulgarian hosts...) the MiG-29’s fly without restrictions. Being in the ground attack business the use of the range of Novo Selo helps them improve on their bombing and strafing techniques.

For the Bulgarian Air Force it gives them a chance to fly and work in an English language environment and integrate into NATO procedures. Hosting this exercise gives the Bulgarian Air Force a very valuable experience and flying hours. For both Air Forces it gives them an insight into how each other’s air forces operate. Learning each other’s culture, customs and courtesies it develops international relationships and forwards US-Bulgarian military/political relationship to a new higher level.

During the exercise different missions are flown: dissimilar Tactical Intercepts, Basic Fighter Manoeuvres, Air Combat Manoeuvring, Air Policing and Offensive and Defensive Counter Air. For the Combat Search and Rescue missions the Bulgarians put up AS 532AL “Cougar”, Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters from the Air Base of Krumovo. Situated on the other side of Plovdiv.

As this exercise is coming to an end others are in preparation. High ranking US Air Force official General Franc Gorenc (commander of the US Air Forces in Europe) said the involvement of the USAF in the TSP in 2016 should be “pretty much a carbon copy of 2015”. He expects roughly the same number of airmen and aircraft to rotate through Europe in 2016.

We would like to thank the Bulgarian Air Force Public Affairs for making this visit possible. And want to thank all people involved at the 3rd Air Base for their hospitality.