The U.S. Air Force, along with air forces from Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and the Czech Republic, is participating in the Hungarian Air Force-hosted exercise Load Diffuser 17 through early June.
About 200 Airmen, including crews to support eight F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 180th Fighter Wing in Swanton, Ohio and two C-130H Hercules from the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio, are participating in the exercise.
The Ohio National Guard and Hungary have been paired through the National Guard State Partnership Program for more than two decades. Exercises such as Load Diffuser ’17 that allow Air National Guard units to conduct military-to-military engagements with their state partners are essential to strengthening relationships with allied and partner nations, helping to maintain joint readiness and interoperability, and reassure European allies and partners.
The exercise is scheduled to end on or about June 9, with all U.S. forces returning to their home bases at the conclusion of the exercise.
Source: Ohio Adjutant General’s Department
