Engineering and defense technologies provider Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has successfully completed the first contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) air combat training mission with the Air Force in Europe.
“Adversary training enhances the U.S. security defense posture, enables freedom of movement, fosters global security, and increases combat effectiveness,” Garry Schwartz, president of the ISR business group within HII’s Technical Solutions division, said. “HII is proud to have assisted in this ground-breaking effort in partnership with Top Aces to bring advanced COCO adversary aircraft training to USAFE-AFAFRICA’s fighter squadrons.”
The air combat training program enables Air Forces in Europe to evaluate training effectiveness, suitability, and interoperability of contractor-operated air training for American forces in the European theater. COCO training support is an essential option for cost effectiveness for the U.S. government.
“December’s flights with the U.S. Air Force in Europe’s 480th Fighter Squadron Warhawks at Spangdahlem Air Base were the culmination of months of work by the HII team and partner Top Aces,” Schwartz said. “We presented sophisticated contractor adversary air training with advanced capabilities to a front-line fighter squadron within the unique constraints of Europe’s regulatory and airspace environment. Although this type of training has become commonplace for U.S.-based fighter units, this is the first assessment in USAFE-AFAFRICA’s European area of responsibility.”