FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): About 140 airmen have deployed out of Fort Wayne’s Air National Guard Base on a month-long training event in Slovakia.

The 122nd Fighter Wing deployed eight A-10 “Thunderbolt II” planes for the training exercise alongside Slovakian Air Force members to demonstrate “close air support” capabilities and other integration efforts with the NATO ally.

The Air National Guard tells WOWO news they’ll also participate in cross-border training with other deployed US and NATO aircraft in the region in a demonstration of the US’s commitment to its allies and “deterrence efforts” against Russia.

In addition to those deployed to Slovakia, by the end of this month the 122nd Fighter Wing will have an additional 150-plus members deployed throughout the world in support of various missions.