67th FS heads to Misawa for training with JASDF

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  Members of Kadena's 67th Fighter Squadron will participate in a week-long exercise with their Japanese Air Self Defense Force counterparts at Misawa Air Base July 23 through 30 as part of the Aircraft Training Relocation Program.

During this training the 67th FS will team-up with JASDF Mitsubishi F-2's and F-4 Phantoms from the 3rd Wing to learn from one another on a tactical level and strengthen the U.S.-Japanese alliance, said Lt. Col. Robert Novotny, 67th FS commander.

The ATR program allows Kadena pilots to conducting dissimilar air combat training at various bases throughout Japan. The goal of the initiative is to increase interoperability between the U.S. and Japanese Air Forces while helping to reduce the noise impact on local communities surrounding certain U.S. bases in Japan, including Kadena. The ATR program is one of several key transformation initiatives spelled out in the 2006 United States-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation.

"Dissimilar Air Combat Training is the best training F-15 pilots can receive," said Colonel Novotny. "Fighting another unit with a different weapons system and attempting to beat their strategy is the closest we can come to actual combat."

The colonel said it has been five years since the 67th Fighter Squadron conducted combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom which is why this type of training is important to maintain readiness.

"Deployed training opportunities such as the Misawa ATR, help us keep our air superiority skills razor sharp. "

Those skills will be the focus of the training, not only for members of the 67th, but for the JASDF participants as well, said Colonel Ronald Banks, 18th Operations Group commander.

"This training is important when it comes to integrating with our Japanese counterparts and hosts in an effort to fulfill the mission," he said. "The more we train with them, the better integration we can have in times of conflict. These exercises are designed to further that integration and training."

"Since our 'adversary' in this exercise is actually our alliance partner, we provide them the same training," he said. "Collectively we compare our results and ultimately become a more cohesive and more competent fighting force."

Members of the 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit will also be participating in the exercise, as they work side-by-side with JASDF maintainers and compare notes.

When the exercise ends, both parties will have gained from having exercised and practiced together, said Colonel Banks.

"A lot of this particular exercise is helping the Japanese pilots improve their skills," he said, "while at the same time working to improve our relationship with the Japanese."