
Army Capt. Matthew D. Pride, lead planner for exercise Swift Response 15, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, discusses safety plans with German firefighters prior to testing the recently resurfaced and extended Short Take Off Landing strip at Hohenfels Training Area, July 29. Interagency coordination during exercises at Hohenfels helps to build relationships between United States military and local agencies, creating effective exercises for realistic training. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Boffen, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

A United States Air Force C-130 aircraft lands at Hohenfels Training Area, July 29. The aircraft was used to test the capabilities of the recently resurfaced and extended Short Take Off Landing strip at Hohenfels, the only dirt airstrip in Germany capable of supporting aircraft as large as the C-130. Having this new capability allows for increased interagency training opportunities, such as the upcoming Swift Response 15, which will include several NATO Allies and more than 1,400 multinational participants. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Boffen, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

Air Force Master Sgt. Jason E. Tomkinson, chief joint terminal attack controller instructor, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, communicates via tactical radio with flight controllers during the Short Take Off Landing strip test at the Hohenfels Training Area, July 29. The airstrip was recently resurfaced and extended to accommodate larger aircraft. During this initial test of the improved area, Air Force pilots performed multiple take-off and landing cycles with a C-130 aircraft. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Boffen, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)