Tennessee Guard, Bulgaria Partners Train in Falcon Defender 26

GRAF IGNATIEVO AIR BASE, Bulgaria - Security Forces Airmen from the Tennessee Air National Guard and the Bulgarian Air Force participated June 8-12 in Falcon Defender 26, an annual exercise focused on specialized tactical and strategic training that also cultivated and strengthened bonds among service members.

"We started off the week in the classroom, giving a good description of what the week's expectations were," said Master Sgt. Stetson Thomas, 118th Security Forces squad leader. "Out here in the field, we are looking to apply that, helping them understand their positions on the squad and how to move to be an effective fighting force."

This year's exercise focused heavily on air base ground defense, as teams of service members practiced troop movements, range navigation and building defensive fighting positions to create team cohesion.

"So, we have to be able to trust each other," said Master Sgt. Joshua Bruglio, 134th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent. "So, whether we're here training or say if it's real-world, say we get deployed somewhere together, we know we've already begun to build that trust through exercises like these. So, they know that when we work together that we have their backs, and we know they have ours."

Throughout the week of training, teams began to work closely together, sharing their ideas and executing mission objectives as a unit.

"As an instructor, I can't be everywhere at once," Thomas said. "So, I appreciate everybody from the lowest-ranking Airman to the highest-ranking, stepping in and being willing to help each other learn from both sides."

The Tennessee National Guard has deep ties with Bulgaria, dating back to 1993 when Bulgaria became the state's partner country under the Department of War National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. That bond continues to strengthen every year through exercises such as Falcon Defender.

"The Bulgarians and our Airmen are out there soaking up knowledge like sponges," Bruglio said. "Earlier I was walking checking on everybody, and they were really working well together. They were all in there, giving ideas, trying to fix the problems, trying to improve everything they possibly could, and it was coming from both sides. Falcon Defender's slogan is 'Better Together,' and I have really seen that in action out here this year."