Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria -- Security Forces Airmen from the Tennessee Air National Guard and the Bulgarian Air Force came together to participate in Falcon Defender 26, June 8th-12th.
Falcon Defender is an annual joint training exercise between force protection Airmen from the Tennessee ANG and the Bulgarian air force. The exercise integrates service members from both countries into small teams for hands-on specialized tactical and strategic training while also helping to cultivate and strengthen working bonds between all Airmen, Bulgarian and American.
“We started off the week in the classroom, giving a good description of what the week’s expectations were,” said Master Sgt. Stetson Thomas, 118th Security Forces squad leader. “Out here in the field, we are looking to apply that, helping them understand their positions on the squad and how to move to be an effective fighting force.”
This year’s exercise focused heavily on air base ground defense as the teams worked together practicing troop movements, range navigation, and building defensive fighting positions with the overall goal of creating team cohesion.
“So, we have to be able to trust each other,” said Master Sgt. Joshua Bruglio, 134th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent. “So, whether we're here training or say if it's real-world, say we get deployed somewhere together, we know we’ve already begun to build that trust through exercises like these. So, they know that when we work together that we have their backs, and we know they have ours.”
Throughout the week of training teams began to work close together sharing their ideas and executing mission objectives as a unit.
“As an instructor, I can't be everywhere at once,” said Thomas. “So, I appreciate everybody from the lowest-ranking Airman to the highest-ranking, stepping in and being willing to help each other learn from both sides.”
The Tennessee National Guard has deep ties with the country of Bulgaria dating back to 1993 when they became the partner country for the state under the U.S. National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. That bond continues to be strengthened every year with exercises like Falcon Defender.
“The Bulgarians and our Airmen are out there soaking up knowledge like sponges,” said Bruglio. “Earlier I was walking checking on everybody, and they were really working well together. They were all in there, giving ideas, trying to fix the problems, trying to improve everything they possibly could, and it was coming from both sides. Falcon Defender’s slogan is Better Together, and I have really seen that in action out here this year.”