EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Misawa Airmen with the 13th Fighter Squadron wrapped up a two-week, biannual joint training exercise on several military installations and training areas in Alaska, May 12.
Northern Edge 2017 based much of its scenarios out of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, for its strategic location making the exercise key to maintaining peace and stability throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
The firing ranges in Alaska gave the pilots a unique training opportunity not available back home.
“There are incredible ranges in Alaska, we had a chance to practice with real emitters, back at Misawa it's mostly simulation,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Moeller, the 13th Fighter Squadron commander. “Here with the ground emitters we had a chance to test our equipment and our capabilities against those specifically…how well we detect, react and report them.”
The 13th Fighter Squadron completed 171 of 172 sorties, resulting in 98 percent successful training missions during NE17. Demonstrating the 13th FS's Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses capabilities.
Participants experienced opportunities to sharpen their skills by practicing career-specific operations, techniques and procedures. This improves command, control and communication relations, and develops interoperable plans and programs. NE 17 provides the opportunity to hone current and test future applications of combat operations and weapons capabilities. This joint training event provides effective, flexible and capabilities-centered joint forces ready for deployment worldwide and enables real-world proficiency in detection and tracking of units at sea, in the air and on land, and response to multiple crises.
Misawa Airmen jumped right in working right alongside other squadrons and airframes from across the region strengthening the bonds of air power.
“It been a great experience.” said Staff. Sgt. Leicia Corbin, the 13th FS aviation research management NCO in charge. “NE17 was amazing getting to work with the other squadrons and interact with their pilots working so succinctly together to get the mission done.”
Flying countless sorties every day takes its toll on the aircraft but the 13th FS's maintainers overcame those challenges ensuring the pilots received their training with zero discrepancies.
“The flying window was a challenge…it limited the amount of time for swing shift to work on the aircraft,” said Senior Master Sgt. Elijah Pugh, a 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant superintendent. “Even though it was challenging, the maintainers did a great job making sure the aircraft were ready without interrupting training.”
The fully integrated, large-scale exercise provided top-notch, realistic and comprehensive joint training opportunities in and around Alaskan land and airspace, as well as in and above the Gulf of Alaska. U.S. military personnel and their assets have participated in this exercise, under various names, during odd-numbered years since 1975. This year, NE17 participants trained on defensive counter-air, close-air support and air interdiction of maritime targets.
“The training value is extremely high, especially for young crew members,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Alaskan NORAD Region, Alaskan Command and 11th Air Force Commander. “If they ever have to execute this in combat they are prepared—combat situations are often easier than the training because the exercise scenarios are so difficult. When they come away from the exercise they are more capable at their job than they were when they started the exercise, and that’s the greatest value of Northern Edge.”