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 More than 200 airmen and ten F-16s deployed from Spangdahlem AB in Germany to Malacky Air Base in Slovenia in April for Operation Lion’s Claw, a two-week training exercise that provided US and Slovak air forces an opportunity to share tactics, techniques, and procedures. A bilateral agreement between Slovakia and the United States for support from the Slovak air force at Malacky and use of the nearby Kuchyna bombing range will allow U.S. pilots in Europe to expand their training while strengthening ties of friendship between the two nations. For the Slovak air force, the agreement means partial funding for airfield and range operations, interoperability and familiarization between pilots from the two nations, and closer military ties to the United States and to the other NATO-member nations.
 "We are excited to have the opportunity to use the airspace in Slovakia to expand our training opportunities," said Lt. Col. Richard Reynolds, 23rd FS commander. "This deployment will benefit the air forces of both nations."
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