Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

A B-52 Stratofortress, assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing, heads for the runway as it prepares for take off on the first day of Exercise Ample Strike at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 28, 2017. Ample Strike is a Czech Republic-led exercise that offers advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. It also demonstrates the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

A B-52 Stratofortress, assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing, returns from a five-hour mission, the first of Exercise Ample Strike 2017, at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 28, 2017. Ample Strike is a Czech Republic-led exercise that offers advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. It also demonstrates the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

Airmen from the 307th Operations Support Squadron unroll a B-52 Stratofortress parachute after a mission at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 28, 2017. The drag chute of a B-52 is deployed when it lands to help the aircraft slow down and avoid excessive wear on its braking system. After each use, it must be inspected and repaired if needed before being packed into a case a little larger than a duffle bag. The routine will be repeated many times during Exercise Ample Strike which runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 9, 2017. Ample Strike is a Czech Republic-led exercise that offers advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. It also demonstrates the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Carl Whitaker, 307th Operations Support Squadron NCO in charge of air flight equipment, grits his teeth as he unravels the drag chute of a B-52 Stratofortress at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 28, 2017. The parachute, which weighs 175 pounds, takes about an hour to unroll, inspect and repack for the next mission. If repairs are needed, the process can take even longer. Whitaker, along with dozens of other active and Reserve Citizen Airmen, are on hand for Exercise Ample Strike 2017. Ample Strike is a Czech Republic-led exercise that offers advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. It also demonstrates the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jackson Stogsdill, a 307th Operations Support Squadron air flight equipment craftsman, ties up a bag containing drag chute for a B-52 Stratofortress at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 28, 2017. The chute, which ran the length of the building in which Stogsdill works, can be packed into a bag that is approximately four feet high and three feet wide. The chute deployed from the back of a B-52 participating in Exercise Ample Strike 2017. Ample Strike is a Czech Republic-led exercise that offers advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. It also demonstrates the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Stevick, 307th Security Forces Squadron team leader, peers from a narrow passage in a wall as he checks in a weapon from a fellow squadron member at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 28, 2017. Stevick is in charge of the weapons room that is being used by National Guard, Reserve and active duty SF squadrons during Exercise Ample Strike 2017. The squadrons are supplying flight line security, gate security, and surveillance during the exercise. Ample Strike is a Czech Republic-led exercise that offers advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. It also demonstrates the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

An Air Force pilot flips the switch on a Scott Oxygen Tester at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 29, 2017. The machine tests the pilot’s oxygen mask to ensure it is working properly prior to flight. Ample Strike 2017 is a Czech Republic-led exercise offering advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. Exercises such as Ample Strike demonstrate the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Hawn, 489th Bomb Group deputy commander, tests his oxygen mask at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 29, 2017. Hawn was preparing to go on a mission for Exercise Ample Strike, which is a Czech Republic-led exercise offering advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. Exercises such as Ample Strike demonstrate the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

Air Force pilots from the 489th Bomb Group taxi two B-1 Lancers to the runway at RAF Fairford, U.K., Aug. 29, 2017. The mission was part of Ample Strike 2017, a Czech Republic-led exercise offering advanced air/land integration training to forward air controllers, joint terminal attack controllers and close air support aircrews. Exercises such as Ample Strike demonstrate the commitment between the U.S. and its European defense partners to promote regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Ample Strike 2017 kicks off

Published Aug. 31, 2017
By Master Sgt. Ted Daigle
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

RAF FAIRFORD, U.K. --