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A U.S. Soldier assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment engages the opposing force during the Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable Exercise at Laur, Philippines, May 20, 2026.
260519-A-FU572-9722 May 22 2026
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers assigned to 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, pull security after being transported from a UH-60 Blackhawk assigned to Task Force Saber, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, during a multinational air assault mission part of the Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable Exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 17, 2026.
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines May 20 2026
U.S. Army Cpl. Jonathan Zyk, a crew chief assigned to the 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, guides Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers assigned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade (Air Assault), toward a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to execute a multinational air assault exercise during the Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable Exercise at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines, May 17, 2026.
260517-A-KP914-1148 May 19 2026
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, navigate mountainous terrain during the Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable Exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, May 11, 2026.
260512-A-MA645-1006 May 18 2026
A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Task Force Saber, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, prepares to land a sling loaded M119 Howitzer assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY), 25th Infantry Division, during the Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable Exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 16, 2026.
260516-A-XD912-1018 May 18 2026
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division run onto a UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to Task Force Saber, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade during hot load training as part of the Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable Exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 13, 2026.
PHILIPPINES May 15 2026
A U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 delivers supplies from Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) onto Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) during a replenishment-at-sea, May 11, 2026.
260511-N-BB260-1293 May 14 2026
U.S. Soldiers, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, pull security during training activities as part of the Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable Exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 10, 2026.
260510-A-GU297-3172 May 13 2026
U.S. Marines assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, and Philippine marines stand by to engage during a counter-landing live-fire exercise as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 in Aporawan, Philippines, April 27, 2026.
260427-M-GL456-1379 May 12 2026
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, sling loads Infantry Squad Vehicles to a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during training as part of the Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable Exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 10, 2026.
260509-A-KA877-9715 May 11 2026
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment engage targets with an anti-tank weapon system during a counter-landing live-fire exercise during Balikatan 2026 at La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag City, Philippines, May 4, 2026.
LAOAG, Philippines May 08 2026
Philippine Air Force special operators conduct a military free-fall jump as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 over the Philippines, April 29, 2026.
260429-A-UI440-1018 May 07 2026
An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25, readies for launch off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), May 5, 2026.
260505-N-XN798-2056 May 06 2026
A Philippine Army cannon crewmember, assigned to Eighth Field Artillery Brigade, Artillery Regiment, pulls the cord for an M101 105mm Howitzer during a counter landing live-fire exercise as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 at La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag City, Philippines, May 4, 2026.
260504-A-KP914-1078 May 06 2026
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2-11 Long Range Fires Battalion, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, fire a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during a counter-landing live-fire exercise as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 at La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag City, Philippines, May 4, 2026.
260503-A-MA645-2001 May 05 2026
U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to Task Force Saber, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade take off during a long-range maritime air assault operation as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, La-lo, Philippines, April 23, 2026.
260423-A-XD912-1048 May 05 2026
U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USC Midgett (WMSL 757), right, Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV 9701), left, and Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) steam in formation during the group sail exercise for Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 24, 2026.
260424-M-SH393-1299 May 01 2026
U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned to Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System 4, return to Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) after visiting a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ShinMaywa US-2 aircraft, assigned to Air Rescue Squadron 71 (ARS-71), Fleet Air Wing 31, during a casualty evacuation exercise for Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 27, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John B. Hetherington)
260427-N-DC740-2237 May 01 2026
U.S. Marines, assigned to the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, stage gear prior to boarding a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter, assigned to Task Force Saber, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Lal-Lo, Philippines,April 25, 2026.
260424-A-FU572-8893 Apr 30 2026
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen conduct a military free-fall jump during Exercise Balikatan 2026 over the Philippines, April 23, 2026.
260423-A-UI440-1027 Apr 29 2026
Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transits the Surigao Strait, April 26, 2026. Boxer, flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is underway with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dustin Drake)
SURIGAO Apr 28 2026
U.S. Army Pvt. Dylan Maynard, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division holds security at an established observation post during Exercise Balikatan 2026, near Itbayat Airport, Itbayat, Philippines, April 25, 2026.
260425-A-VC863-1006 Apr 27 2026
During the counter-landing live-fire training, forces demonstrated their ability to sense the actions of a dynamic notional enemy, make collective real-time decisions, and coordinate an array of fire from missile systems, fighter aircraft, mortars, and machine guns.
260427-N-N0132-1003 Apr 27 2026
An Australian Army soldier, assigned to Charlie Company, 5th/7thBattalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1st Brigade, provides area security while his fellow soldiers exit a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during U.S. Army led cold-load training as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Lal-lo, Philippines, April 21, 202
260420-A-FU572-1005 Apr 24 2026
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Delos Reyes, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), directs an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as it takes off from the ship’s flight deck during flight operations, April 18, 2026
260418-N-JB196-1107 Apr 23 2026
PACIFIC OCEAN (April 18, 2026) –An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 18, 2026.
260418-N-UA586-1350 Apr 21 2026
A U.S. Soldier, artillery crew member assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, extracts an expended 105mm shell casing during exercise Salaknib 26 at Fort Magsaysay Combat Readiness Training Area, Canantong, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, April 17, 2026.
260417-A-VC863-1393 Apr 20 2026
A multiple launch rocket system/high mobility launch rocket system (HIMARS) fires a precision-guided rocket at Canantong, Laur, Neuva Ecija, Apr. 16, 2026. Exercise Salaknib 26 marked the first time 25th Infantry Division successfully forward deployed and shot the HIMARS in another partner’s training areas.
260415-D-A4433-5991 Apr 17 2026
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jose Rodriguez-Barron, assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M4 carbine during marksmanship training in the hangar bay of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), April 13, 2026.
PACIFIC OCEAN Apr 16 2026
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to take off from the flight deck aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, April 7, 2026.
260407-M-KL381-1710 Apr 15 2026
A Philippine Army soldier and U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, engage targets during a blank-fire rehearsal ahead of a bilateral squad live-fire during Exercise Salaknib 2026 at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 11, 2026.
260411-A-MA645-9669 Apr 14 2026
From left: Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), U.S. Navy Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FF 156), and U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conduct a group sail during a multilateral exercise with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Royal Australian Navy in the Sulu Sea, April 13, 2026.
260413-N-BW367-2084 Apr 14 2026
U.S. Navy divers, attached to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1, conduct a hazardous material detection sweep of the Artemis II crew module after its return from its lunar mission on April 10, 2026.
SAN DIEGO Apr 13 2026
Four people in NASA spacesuits pose for a photo while sitting on a small vessel in the ocean that is manned by two people in military camouflage uniforms.
260410-N-MJ302-1301 Apr 13 2026
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 flies by amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), in the Pacific Ocean, April 8, 2026.
260408-N-SL940-1014 Apr 09 2026
U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Savannah Edwards, assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), lands a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during flight deck operations in the Pacific Ocean, April 2, 2026.
260402-M-CK747-1312 Apr 08 2026
U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Apprentice Colin Taylor, signals to a MH-60S Seahawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 4, 2026.
260404-N-YK125-1029 Apr 08 2026
U.S. Marines assigned to 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division exit a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing during an air assault as part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 26.1 in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, March 31, 2026.
260331-M-AD637-1287 Apr 07 2026
A U.S. Marine Corps M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from 1st Battalion 11th Marines, is fired during a combined joint live fire exercise between the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and ROK Army near Pocheon, South Korea, March 31, 2026.
260331-A-ZF147-1004 Apr 03 2026
U.S. Marines, with the Maritime Raid Force, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate a rigid-hull inflatable boat in the Pacific Ocean, April 2, 2026. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the United States’ long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Avery Wayland)
260402-M-TI498-1259 Apr 03 2026
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 2nd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, engages targets during a situational training exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, March 31, 2026.
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines Apr 02 2026
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2026.
260328-M-YF186-2295 Apr 01 2026
U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 11th Airborne Division, fire a M240 machine gun during Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea, Mar. 24, 2026.
260323-A-AT874-6037 Mar 27 2026
U.S. Marines, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observe San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) from a CH-53E Super Stallion during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel rehearsal in the Pacific Ocean, March 22, 2026. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the United States’ long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Avery Wayland)
260322-M-TI498-2257 Mar 25 2026
A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing lands at Osan Air Base, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea in preparation for KMEP 26.1, March 19, 2026.
260319-M-SM417-1051 Mar 24 2026
U.S. Sailors test launch a catapult on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean, March 18, 2025. Nimitz is currently underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Meyer)
PACIFIC OCEAN Mar 19 2026
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division/ROK–U.S. Combined Division, conduct sling load operations in support of the 11th Engineer Battalion during Freedom Shield at an undisclosed location, March 14, 2026.
260314-A-YG332-1015 Mar 18 2026
Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division exit UH-60 Black Hawks during Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training, March 14, 2026, at the Special Warfare Training Center in Lop Buri, Thailand.
260313-A-UB857-5492 Mar 17 2026
U.S. Air Force 18th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters extinguish a simulated aircraft fire during a USAF-led operational exercise, Beverly Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 12, 2026.
260312-F-LD348-1021 Mar 12 2026
THAILAND (March 5, 2026) — Republic of Korea Marine Corps Sgt. Seungno Kim, a squad leader assigned to Firearms Company, 82nd Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd Marine Division, prepares to fire an AT-1K Raybolt during a combined arms live-fire range part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2026 at Ban Chan Khrem, Khao Khitchakut district, Thailand, March 5, 2026.
260305-M-FG738-1258 Mar 11 2026
U.S. Army Spc. Danton D. Dacquel, an allied trades specialist assigned to Bravo Company, 29th Brigade Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG), participates in the foot march event during the HIARNG Best Warrior Competition in Waimanalo, Hawaii, March 6, 2026.
260306-Z-SV327-3084 Mar 10 2026
U.S. Navy Divers, assigned to Commander, Task Group 73.6/Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 (CTG 73.6/MDSU 1, Co. 1-3), Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Dive Unit One divers, and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Underwater Construction Team divers, secure an inflatable buoy to simulated ordnance during an underwater rigging and rappelling evolution as part of Cobra Gold 2026 in Thailand, Feb. 25, 2026.
260225-N-ED646-1363 Mar 10 2026
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to raid a simulated enemy force as a part of Iron Fist 26 at Landing Zone Dodo, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, March 6, 2026. T
260306-M-BN482-1002 Mar 10 2026
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s containerized delivery system bundles drop from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron at JGSDF East Fuji Maneuver Area, Japan, March 4, 2026, during Airborne 26.
260304-F-PM645-1005 Mar 09 2026
San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), top, left, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Ōsumi-class tank landing ship JS Ōsumi (LST 4001), top, right, and JMSDF Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182), bottom, right, sail in formation alongside America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) during exercise Iron Fist, March 1, 2026.
260301-N-EU502-3355 Mar 06 2026
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, board a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th MEU, on the flight deck of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) during an amphibious assault in the Pacific Ocean, March 2, 2026.
260302-M-YF186-1234 Mar 06 2026
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachary Metcalf, a machine gunner with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fires a Mk-19 grenade launcher during a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise at Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex, Republic of Korea, Feb. 28, 2026.
260228-M-AO948-1178 Mar 04 2026
Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) approaches Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) before a replenishment-at-sea, March 1, 2026.
260301-N-UC201-1005 Mar 04 2026
A U.S. Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicle, with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, docks on Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 25, 2026. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations conducting integrated training that enhances lethality and warfighting readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry)
260225-M-FP389-2262 Mar 03 2026
U.S. Marines assigned to Task Force Ashland, I Marine Expeditionary Force, maintain security ashore while conducting operations at sea as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2026 at Hat Yao Beach, Rayong, Thailand, Feb. 26, 2026.
260225-M-FG738-2201 Mar 02 2026
 


 

More news from the Indo-Pacific

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 Finishes Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2

21 June 2016

From Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin

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EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Exercise Red Flag-Alaska is one of the biggest air-to-air exercises in the world with approximately more than 80 aircraft participating in the air at one time. 

“I’ve got a lot of young aviators that have never seen something at this level with this many aircraft going against a very good and proficient threat, both on the air-to-air side and the surface-to-air side,” said Lt. Col. Gregory A. McGuire, commanding officer of VMFA-314. “For me, I’m happy about giving my guys the opportunity to see this kind of real-world kinetic, large-force exercise so they can see how we would employ should we be called upon to do so.”

During the exercise, VMFA-314 participated in multiple missions, also known as ‘sorties,’ each day of the exercise, and the long hours required rotating shifts. With the busy schedule, pilots were either flying or planning for the next mission.

“So I think it just drives home the point that our readiness that we report every month has to be accurate, and we need to be trained on a lot of different mission sets,” said Maj. Steven Bowden, executive officer of VMFA-314. “As far as the aircraft health goes, with two massive flights a day, there’s no flexibility with an aircraft breaking and making it out there late. It’s not like our own schedule where you can degrade it. Here, it’s a master schedule and if you miss it, you’re not going to catch it back up.”

While pilots were performing their tasks, the ground crews and maintainers were verifying that the F/A-18C Hornet jets were ready to fly and had the proper payload for specific missions. 
“The exercise has been phenomenal, and we couldn’t have accomplished what we did without the Marines on the ground,” said McGuire. “They kept the jets up and fully mission capable, all the systems worked, and to train to our full spectrum is pretty huge in an environment where you’ve got robust air-to-air and surface-to-air threats.”

VMFA-314 conducted many different missions including defensive and offensive air-to-air tactics and air-to-ground. 

“We have a lot of missions and wear a lot of different hats,” said Bowden. “Here is where we get to go from one mission set to the other and train on multiple missions while inserted into an environment with a ton of other planes. So more than anything, you have to be on your toes and be up to speed on all of our missions vice just the ones that we like.”

Before each mission, pilots planned for approximately ten hours with the other units. The largest safety precaution was to make sure all units knew where the planes were going to be so they avoided any unnecessary collisions or mishaps. 

“This is my first Red Flag and probably the biggest take-away is joint efforts, and part of that is just the coordination of everything because you need jets to cover the ones dropping bombs down below,” said Capt. Josh Martin, pilot and schedules officer with VMFA-314. “Red Flag is a mission planning exercise and the execution is just about getting it right, but everything boils down to planning.”

Now that exercise Red Flag-Alaska is over, VMFA-314 will continue into exercise Distant Frontier, which focuses on unit-level training.

“That’s more unit-level training so we’ll be working with VMFA(AW) 242 as they do some of their forward air control airborne training. We’ll do some close air support, and we’ve got some low-altitude training to conduct with some of our new guys,” said McGuire. “It will be more of the unit-level type event with any of the Air Force units that are sticking around. We would like to work with them too on some of the other mission sets, but primarily it will just be internal VMFA-314 level training for the next two weeks.”

 

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