The United States Air Force and Bulgarian Air Force opened the operational component of the annual joint exercise “Thracian Star“ this morning at Bezmer Air Base. “Thracian Star 25“ will focus on F-16 operations, with 12 fighters transferred for the exercise from the 510th Squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF), part of the 31st Fighter Wing, based at Aviano Air Base in Italy, joined by F-16s from Romania and Greece.
This was announced by the US Embassy in Sofia.
About 250 US Air Force (USAF) service members from the 510th Fighter Squadron, as well as several support aircraft - including C-130 and C-17 transport aircraft and KC-135 air tankers - will participate in the exercise together with the Bulgarian Air Force. The exercise will focus on F-16 flight operations, technical support and logistical support.
Martin McDowell, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, thanked the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense for its invaluable assistance in conducting the exercise “Thracian Star“, stating: “Exercises like this are key to improving the interoperability of our defense forces and play an important role in the security of NATO's eastern flank and the Black Sea region. “Thracian Star 25” is another example of the expanding bilateral security cooperation and a powerful demonstration of why NATO is the most successful military alliance in the world and the most effective guarantor of Bulgaria's security.“
Paul Siebold, U.S. Military Attaché to Bulgaria, noted: “The F-16 fighter jet is key to NATO operations in the Black Sea region, making Thracian Star a critically important annual exercise. And this year's edition is especially beneficial as newly trained Bulgarian F-16 technicians will join their U.S. Air Force counterparts in Bezmer. Working together, the two teams will strengthen their capabilities to provide, recover, repair and sustain F-16 flight operations in a simulated operational environment.“
Bulgaria received the first of its 16 F-16 Block 70 fighters in April 2025, and the second in June. Six more aircraft will join the Bulgarian Air Force in the course of 2025. The Block 70 is the most advanced F-16 ever produced, featuring new, high-tech radars, avionics and pilot safety systems, as well as a new, more powerful engine with greater range. The remaining eight F-16s are expected to arrive in 2027.
The flight portion of the exercise “Thracian Star 25“ will continue until July 25, with the exercise finally ending on July 31.