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FEATURE
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Northern Viking marks 75 years of defense cooperation, Page 2
Legal team earns DAF recognition for dispute resolution, Pages 8 & 9
Exercise Northern Viking 26, Pages 16 & 17
Medical commands modernize public health partnership, Page 28
August 28, 2026 | Volume 50, Number 34
Read the KA online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
Knight LZ: Historic taxiway landing at Ramstein by Staff Sgt. Sabrina Fuller-Judd, SrA Edgar Grimaldo, SrA Jarred Lovett, A1C Joseph Curzi 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs A 37th Airlift Squadron aircrew flying a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft conducted a taxiway landing during a wing exercise at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. The event marked history as the first time an airplane has landed at Ramstein without using a runway. The exercise provided an opportunity for aircrew and support personnel to validate alternate landing options in case if a runway was unavailable. “This capability is more than just landing on a taxiway,” said Col. Matthew Wunderlich, 86th Operations Group commander. “It demonstrates our ability to adapt, to work together, and continue generating airpower when conditions change. This creativity and resiliency is essential to maintaining our readiness, increasing strategic options, and fulfilling the mission.” A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft lands on a taxiway at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. The training ensured airfield personnel maintain the proficiency required to execute precision landings on short, narrow and unmarked strips of land. Photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Curzi
See LANDING, Page 3
Can’t miss German day trips A-Z: Bernkastel-Kues When you’re standing above BernkastelKues, the scene seems almost too beautiful to be real. Vine-filled hillsides plunge toward the Mosel River. Small roads snake See BERNKASTEL-KUES, Page 30
“Finding Emily” is the featured movie of the week, Page 31
Photo by Pajor Pawel/Shutterstock.com
by MilitaryinGermany.com