Pelican Dispatch - Spring 2010 - Keep Trees

By Capt. Beverly G. Couto
Louisiana Air National Guard,
159th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Offi cer
Louisiana Air Guard participates
in multinational training in Chile
The Louisiana Air National Guard’s
159th Fighter Wing participated in a joint
fl ight exercise with four other countries in
Chile Oct. 21.
Pilots from the U.S., Chile, Argentina,
Brazil and France have been working
together in an exercise called “SALITRE
II,” which is a Combined Air Operations
Center training opportunity that allows
the different countries to train together
on things like air search-and-rescue and
aerial refueling.
The 159th participates in these types
of exercises periodically, the most recent
being “Operation Load Diffuser” hosted
by Hungary.
“If there is ever a day when we have to
join forces in support of humanitarian or
other missions, it is training like this that
will make for a smoother transition,” said
Maj. Marcus “Skate” Sauley, an F-15 pilot with the 159th.
Most of the pilots had the opportunity to fl y with one of the
other countries.
“The Chileans are very good pilots. Learning the ability of
different airframes in theory and actually fl ying against them
with the pilot’s ability in play, is when you really learn what
those airframes can do,” said Sauley.
The fi ve countries all have strong relationships, so coming
together to train and learn from one another only enhances
that bond. Each of the air forces will learn from the opportunity
to fl y together, train together and plan together…all while
overcoming language barriers.
Members of the Louisiana Air National Guard’s 159th Fighter Wing fly in a joint dissimilar aircraft formation with pilots
from Chile, Argentina, Brazil and France as part of a training mission in Chile, Oct. 17. Pilots from the five countries
worked together in an exercise called “SALITRE II,” a Combined Air Operations Center training opportunity that allows
the different countries to train together on operations like air search-and-rescue and aerial refueling.
Photos: Tech. Sgt. Travis Burke, Louisiana Air National Guard, 159th Fighter Wing
“It is totally different when compared to training back
home,” said Lt. Col. Thomas “Cannibal” Sostarics, a 159th
fi ghter pilot. “Training with other countries is invaluable when
it comes to learning to operate by the same rules and doing it
safely and effectively.”
The exercise began Oct. 19, with the fi rst four days dedicated
to orientation briefi ngs, fl ying and learning the layout
of terrain and training areas. The simulated fi ghting missions
followed.
These training missions are designed by the host nation
and offer participants the opportunity to prepare for future
planning in exercises held in the U.S.
Spring 2010 / Louisiana National Guard 9