Global Vikings join forces with NATO countries for Saber Junction

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Trevor Saylor
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY --  Exercise Saber Junction 16 (SJ16) is a U.S. Army Europe Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) scenario which is taking place at the Hohenfels Training Area (Germany), from March 31 - April 24. The exercise is designed to evaluate and assess the readiness of the 173rd Airborne Brigade to execute unified land operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with participating allied and partner nations.

Saber Junction 16 includes nearly 5,000 participants from 12 NATO countries and six European partner nations. Command Sergeant Maj. Todd Burke, of the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, says confusion can be an issue initially with large, complex exercises like Saber Junction. But, he added that such cooperation is crucial because: "once we get on board, everybody starts talking the same language and understanding each other and the work flow and efficiency increases."

The highlight of the exercise is a large, multi-national airborne jump on two off-post maneuver rights area drop zones to the east of Hohenfels Training Area, during the week of April 11-15.

The U.S. Air Force, including elements from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command, has a crucial role in the support of the operation. Fourteen aircraft in total, including C-17 and C-130 aircraft, are being used in support of SJ16. Aviano AB, Italy, is the primary staging area for the air operations in Germany. The multiple days of airdrops include a mix of personnel and material cargo.

The interoperability of SJ16 mirrors real-world contingency operations, in which U.S. Military services work together in a joint environment to conduct missions. Exercises like SJ16 provide vital opportunities not only for multiple U.S services to work together, including Air National Guard and Reserve, but also allied and partner nations as well.

Captain Steven Marinos, of the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell ARB, said that for reservists, this kind of big-picture exercise is the culmination of a lot of training. "This is what we train for, to see it work out on a scale this big. It's an affirmation of what we do as Reservists," said Marinos. "This is what it's all about right here."

Throughout the week, the 934th Airlift Wing will be conducting flights in support of SJ16, providing crucial leadership and experience of the Army-led operation. When asked what the benefit is to the Air Force Reserve, Major Brad Salmi, the 934th Mission Commander, said, "The benefit to the Air Force Reserve...is that we can bring our forces together and get boots on the ground and equipment on the ground for the Army and to do what we do best."

While Exercise Saber Junction will continue until April 24, the Air Force's involvement will effectively end with the last airdrops on April 15.