Fighter pilots from seven NATO countries completed the NATO tactical Leadership Program designed to enhance combat and coordination skills.

The pilots came from the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The program prepared pilots to become mission commanders and lead coalition airstrike packages, also instructed allied flying and ground personnel in tactical air operations. The program also emphasized cooperation between different air forces.

"I think it's important for our graduates to be well versed in the capabilities of NATO partners," said Lt. Col. John Stratton, the 493rd Fighter Squadron commander in a statement. "For us to remain 'Forward, Ready, Now,' it requires the entire team to be efficient in deploying, executing the mission and redeploying to any location at any time."

The U.S. Air Force says participating countries worked together at all levels in the program. Senior Airman Dylan Wheeler, a 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, commended the performance by the participants and their working relationships with one another.

"It feels like we have similar goals, and everyone works well together," he said.

The completion of the program comes as NATO leaders move to bolster their collective defenses as part of the Enhanced NATO Response Force plan. This includes increasing joint military exercises.

Saudi Arabia seek U.S. helicopter deal
Washington (UPI) Oct 14, 2015 - Saudi Arabia is seeking UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment from the United States through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

Notification of the proposed $495 million deal, which has already won State Department approval, was transmitted to Congress by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

"The proposed sale will make a positive contribution to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important regional partner that has been, and continues to be, a significant U.S. partner for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," DSCA said.

"The Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command plans to use these helicopters for search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, counter-terrorism, and combat operations."

The Saudi shopping list is for nine Black Hawks; 21 engines for the aircraft; 20 Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation System; 12 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems; and 20 M240H 7.62mm machine guns.

Also included are aircraft survivability gear, M134 Mini-guns; electro-optical infrared systems; internal auxiliary fuel tanks; patient litter system; and ballistic armor protection systems.

Spare and repair parts and logistic services would also be part of the deal.

Sikorsky Aircraft and General Electric Aircraft Company would be the principal contractors.

"Implementation of this sale will require an estimated 40 to 60 U.S. government and contractor representatives to travel to Saudi Arabia for up to 60 months for equipment de-processing, fielding, system checkout, training, and technical logistics support," DSCA said.