More than two dozen US F-16 pilots from the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons along with 500 other Airmen from Aviano AB, Italy, trained with Bulgarian Air Force MiG-21 and MiG-29 pilots during Thracian Star 2012, a month-long exercise that began 18 April 2012 at Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria. During the exercise, Aviano pilots spent more than 555 sorties over sixteen flying days carrying out close air support, basic fighter and air combat maneuvers, tactical intercepts, defensive counterair, and large force missions with their Bulgarian counterparts. The pilots were also given the opportunity to fly in their counterparts’ aircraft. The goal of the exercise was to strengthen partnerships and to increase interoperability between NATO allies.
