Former Adversaries Meet

The idea of Russian and US Air Force leaders flying together and exchanging ideas was implausible twenty years ago. But in late March, top leaders from the Russian Air Force visited with leaders of US Air Forces in Europe to discuss cooperative efforts, particularly in the war on global terrorism, and to exchange ideas on interoperability. As part of the contact program, Deputy Chief of Russian Federation Air Forces General-Colonel Aleksandr Nikolaevich Zelin received an F-16 orientation flight at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. Zelin’s flight was preceded by USAFE Commander Gen. Tom Hobbins’ orientation ride received in a Russian MiG-29 in August 2006.