A 944th Fighter Wing F-16 taxis out to the end of the runway signifying the beginning of air operations in Germany in support of Brilliant Arrow Operations. The exercise is conducted by Allied Air Component Command Headquarters Ramstein through its Air Operations Centers. Brilliant Arrow involves air forces from thirteen member nations: Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The exercise is designed to provide challenging and realistic training opportunities and team building for all participating units in a Crisis Response Operation scenario, with emphasis on NATO Response Force air operations. It also provides an opportunity to verify the interoperability, mission execution and reporting capabilities of the Air Components of NATO’s Response Forces. (U.S. Air Force Reserve photo by Tech. Sgt. Barbara Plante)