Shoguns soar over Northern Edge

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jon Quinlan
  • 961st AACS
KADENA AB, Japan --  Whether managing and controlling the dynamic war from the E-3 Sentry, battling red air in the F-15 Eagle, or supporting the fight with valuable maintenance on the ground, over 200 Airmen from Kadena Air Base played a huge role in support of Exercise Northern Edge 2008. 

This joint exercise is the largest in Alaska with over 120 Air Force, Navy, Marine, Army and Air National Guard aircraft and over 5,000 personnel from all services. Kadena's support included an E-3 Sentry from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, F-15C Eagles from the 67th Fighter Squadron, KC-135 Stratotankers from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, and maintenance, aircrew flight equipment and intelligence support from the 18th Maintenance and Operations Groups. 

Command and Control
Northern Edge provides large scale military training by focusing on command and control, communication, service interoperability and integration of new systems and technologies. Controlling all those moving parts in such a large scale took an enormous amount of planning and patience according to 961st AACS members. 

The E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System or AWACS, provides an accurate, real-time picture of the battle space. Using this system 961st AACS operators manage the tactical situation ensuring all threats are targeted by joint fighter/attack aircraft, all surface targets are destroyed, aircraft are refueled on time and safe operations are maintained. 

"(AWACS) is a critical piece of the puzzle. It's our job as tactical command and control to manage all the real-time dynamic pieces of the exercise," said Capt Rocky Entwistle, 961st AACS senior director. "Additionally this exercise gives us the opportunity to work with multiple tactical platforms. This gives our controllers an opportunity to employ the newest tactics with the newest fighters." 

F-22, Forth Generation Aircraft Integration
Large scale, multiple platform execution gave everyone in the exercise an enhanced and more realistic opportunity to learn and practice how to employ together as one joint force. Integration of fighter, attack, and command and control tactics is integral to successful operations. 

"Learning how to incorporate our tactics with those of other fighters is a great opportunity," said Maj. Eric Gilbert, an F-22 pilot from the 525th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. 

"With (F-22) sensors we are able to have and provide greater situational awareness to 4th generation fighters and the entire package," Maj. Gilbert said. "Integration of the F-22 is an evolving process." 

Integration between Air Force F-22's and Navy/Marine Corps fighter aircraft was a first for many pilots and provided valuable lessons and ways ahead for the future.

Kadena F-15 Support
The 67th FS provided the largest part of the counter air fighter support with 24 F-15C's feeding the fight. 

"This exercise is a vital step in preparing the wing for actual combat conditions," said Lt. Col. Barry Cornish, 67th FS commander in an earlier interview. "We'll be able to try some of the tactics, techniques, and procedures we've been working on." 

Kadena pilots learned and taught others during the exercise, drawing on their experiences to perfect the plan. Integrating with the other dissimilar aircraft in the exercise was a highlight. 

Ground Support
Kadena Airmen from maintenance, aircrew flight equipment and intelligence are provided an essential part of the fight. While operations are unique and demanding, Airmen on the ground learned and saw new things everyday. 

According to Northern Edge leadership, maintenance provided outstanding support producing jets to launch on time. Maintenance worked around the clock and without their support none of the sorties would have launched. 

Intelligence Airmen also played a key role. They supported leaders and aircrew valuable information for the fight. 

"Our role is to provide the (aircrew) situational updates on the general threat and overview of the exercise advisory. The difference is higher ops tempo," said Staff Sgt. Matt Parr, 67th Fighter Squadron intel analyst.

Lessons Learned
A major goal of Northern Edge was not just to learn from the new experiences and tactics, but also from mistakes. The evidence was clear as lessons were incorporated as each mission became more complex yet execution gets better, according to Northern Edge leadership. 

"Capturing those lessons learned in each mission is the most important thing we can do," said Lt. Col. Matt Mace, 961st AACS deputy commander. "The insertion of new technology into proven tactics requires some trial and error. We go to battle with the personnel and equipment available at the time. Exercises like Northern Edge allow us to develop, prove and practice our most lethal methods in a safe environment."