AvDet 15-3

Polish air force Warrant Officer Witold Bukowiec, from the 32nd Tactical Air Base at Łask Air Base, Poland, marshals a South Carolina Air National Guard F-16 fighter jet, piloted by Capt. Mark "Dirty" Fattman, to be "hot-pit" refueled, June 1, 2015. F-16 aircraft maintenance crews from the Polish 32nd Tactical Air Base and the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing teamed-up to conduct "hot-pit" refueling at Łask Air Base, Poland, June 1, 2015. The 32nd Tactical Air Base was recently certified to perform "hot-pit" refueling, which involves refueling a recently landed F-16 so that it can take off for another mission without stopping its engine. Three units worked together to learn "hot-pitting" techniques from each other as well as offering opportunities for Polish Airmen to learn from the more seasoned 169th Fighter Wing and 52d Fighter Wing maintainers. U.S. Air Force Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany and the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, are deployed to Łask Air Base in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, during the month of June. These training missions, called Aviation Detachment Rotations, pair U.S. fighter pilots and maintenance crews with their Polish Air Force counterparts at Łask Air Base, during Operation Atlantic Resolve. This bilateral training, hosted by permanently assigned USAF service members assigned to Poland, has taken place since 2012. Through strengthened relationships and engagements with our allies, the U.S. and NATO demonstrate their shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and secure Europe. (South Carolina Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder / RELEASED)