U.S., Bahrain showcase integration across Arabian Peninsula

ARABIAN PENINSULA

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

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Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)’s 378th Air Expeditionary Wing executed Ballast Cannon 24.10 alongside the Royal Bahraini Air Force, Sept. 18, 2024, above the Arabian Peninsula. As a routine exercise occurring nearly quarterly with the Royal Bahraini Air Force, this iteration supports the U.S. Air Force’s rapid expeditionary capabilities by integrating air-to-air training objectives between the Royal Bahraini Air Force and U.S. Air Force aircraft and operational support personnel.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to Aviano Air Base’s 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild’s 92nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron deployed to exercise and maintain rapid response to crises and eliminate aerial threats.

The bilateral training focuses on strengthening the bonds between coalition forces and building a foundation for future engagements in support of the Combined Defense of the Arabian Peninsula. The training objectives benefiting both nations include, aerial refueling, coalition command and control, and tactical integration. The long-standing relationships the U.S. Air Force has developed within the U.S.

Central Command area of responsibility enables regular and routine training, advancing the coalition’s ability to become a seamless operational force across every warfighting domain. Incorporating routine partner nation integration training into the Ballast Cannon series support combined training and operations focused on enhancing strategic basing capabilities and strengthening coalition interoperability. Imagery will be available via the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service at www.dvidshub.net/unit/AFCENT.