The annual joint Bulgarian-American flight training “ Thracian summer” will be held in the period from August 17 to 29, 2024 in the areas of the 24th air base in Krumovo, Plovdiv airport, the military area in Cheshnegirovo and in temporarily separated areas of the airspace of the Republic of Bulgaria.
This was announced by the press center of the Ministry of Defense (MoD), quoted by BTA.
Forces and assets from the Ministry of Defense and the structures directly subordinated to the Minister of Defense, the Air Force (Air Force) of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Joint Command of Special Operations and formations from the US Air Force in Europe, as well as teams from the Military Medical Academy will participate in the exercise.
The goal of “Thracian Summer - 2024“ is to increase the capabilities and interoperability of the flight crews of the military transport aviation and of the air defense formations of the Air Force, as well as of the special forces, when participating in international exercises and operations, the ministry states.
This year, the leader of the exercise is the deputy commander of the Vrazhebna airbase - lieutenant colonel Plamen Donchev. As part of the preparation, day and night flights will be performed with the "Spartan" plane. from the composition of the Bulgarian Air Force and with S-130 aircraft of the United States Air Force. The tasks during the training are aimed at improving the skills of the Bulgarian military personnel to work on the procedures for the implementation of elements related to the combat use of the "Spartan" aircraft, as well as for all-round logistical provision and support by the Air Force as the host country .
For participation in the joint training “Thracian summer - 2024“ personnel and aircraft equipment will be re-based at Plovdiv Airport, adds the Ministry of Defense.
BTA recalls that Bulgaria hosted the joint Bulgarian-American training “ Thracian Summer – 2023“ in August in the areas of Bezmer Air Base and Cheshnegirovo Airport.