European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 14, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday. June 14, 19b6 the stars and stripes Page 3 s Dhoot by a. Emmor a Wii of Al Shaft soil. Anthon is once i examines film with Raf or. Phil Brycc. Right sol. Chuck Coltman i watcher As German civil Iii Crew chief Stefan Raijski launches an Rf-4c. A de ground Crews practice supporting roles by Paul  Kaj Reslau turn Bureau we Bruecken a. Germany a British ground support Crew stood on the Hight line and explained one or the prob lems of working on aircraft from other Al lied nations. First Here s the language Barrier said a airman from Raf Laa Bruch and Gutersloh. We can t understand the  White the British enjoyed their joke Dur ing nato s ample gain 86 exercise they watched the More serious business of Cross training ground support personnel to work on foreign aircraft. The 4th Allied tar air parcs s series of ample gain meets brings planes and ground Crews from various Allied nations together this week at we Bruecken ground Crews from seven countries prac tired refuelling and unloaded film from reconnaissance planes from six Allied nations. Although English is the official language for the allies other ways of communicating often come into play. I fee confident in the work that is done. If we can t communicate we can go to hand signals said Cape even Richardson a navigator with the 38th tac reconnaissance 5q at we Bruecken. We worked Wilh an italian Crew and did to use one word of English just hand signals. There were no problems the training is designed to avoid prob lems that could arise in wartime when air Craft from one Allied nation need to refuel at the air base of another nation. For a number of years ground Crew members have had temporary duty to train on foreign planes but the meet offers a Chance to talk to the pilots of the aircraft and Exchange information with other ground Crews said staff sol. Russell fugue of the 26th equip ment Mairot St Al  i think the biggest thing this docs is give you a Bood overview Pogue said. Now we know if something is wrong with the air Craft we know if it s fit to Fly before this be Smiy to new. You just put Gas in it like the   air bases in nato receive a Raling that dolls pilots what level of service can be per formed on planes from the Allied nations. Zwic Bruecken is a 5tage a base which Means Pogue and his ground support Crew can refuel any nato aircraft and can unload the film from reconnaissance planes. The aircraft could do its Mission and Fly another Mission without going to its Home base he said. There s a lot of difference Between the aircraft and you have to concentrate. But the flight Crews Are also trained in servicing their own aircraft. Of there s something we need they can show  with standardized fuel and Gas line fit Tings for the aircraft refuelling poses Little problem. The camera equipment also is similar said staff sgt John Owens with the 26th maints. The ground Crews also learn How to in Spect the planes Hydraulic systems and to Check for engine damage that would ground the aircraft. Part of the problem faced by the allies in reaching a desired level of competence in Cross servicing is the turnover both in personnel and equipment said col Lawrence Foley -1th Nataf Deputy chief of staff for support. Cross training must be a continuing process As Crews rotate out of Europe and As the various air forces develop new planes and equipment he said that s Why these types of meets Are exactly what we Riccy Foley said. Aircraft Al ample gain 86 included the . Rf-4c, German air Force Rf-4e, French air Force Mirage italian air farce g-91 and i7- 04. British Raf Jaguar and dutch air Force f-16. A ground Crew from Norway also participated and canadians served on the directing staff of the exercise. Left Safe evaluator Muter sgt. Howard de Molt Battles the wind while taking notes. Right a Safe Rf-4c Lui into position for Takeoff. S4s Phil of Bir l. Emmen Uewl or