Going the Distance: Airmen train from coast to coast

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James McFarland, 67th Fighter Squadron commander, embraces his family May 16, 2016, after returning to Kadena Air Base, Japan. Pilots from the 67th Fighter Squadron returned home after a six-week temporary duty assignment at the Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and exercise RED FLAG-Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base. Family members and friends wore an article of red clothing to show support and pride for the squadron during the homecoming. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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Going the Distance: Airmen train from coast to coast

U.S. Air Force Maj. Ryan Corrigan, 67th Fighter Squadron pilot, embraces his family May 16, 2016, after returning to Kadena Air Base, Japan. Pilots and maintainers from the 67th FS and Maintenance Squadron returned home after a six-week temporary duty assignment at the Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and exercise RED FLAG-Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base. The F-15C Eagle has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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Going the Distance: Airmen train from coast to coast

An F-15 Eagle assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron returns home after a six-week temporary duty assignment May 16, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The F-15s were participating in the Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and exercise RED FLAG-Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base. The exercises are a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field trainingopportunities for U.S. and partner nation forces, providing combined offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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Going the Distance: Airmen train from coast to coast

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryan Johnson, 18th Operations Group chief of standards and evaluations, embraces his family May 16, 2016, after returning to Kadena Air Base, Japan. Pilots from the 67th Fighter Squadron returned home after participating in the Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and exercise RED FLAG-Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base. The weapons and flight control systems of the F-15 Eagle are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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Going the Distance: Airmen train from coast to coast

Published May 17, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --
Even a sullen, rainy Monday couldn't drown the excitement and anticipation a homecoming for members of the 18th Wing who were away as part of necessary and intense combat training.

The 67th Fighter and Maintenance Squadrons concluded more than six weeks of training and returned home to the jubilation of family, friends and fellow Airmen May 16.

"Our squadrons have been away participating in two separate yet equally important training exercises," said Lt. Col. Nicholas Register, 67th Fighter Squadron director of operations. "First we attended the Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida."

Register explained the mission of WSEP is to evaluate maintenance's ability to effectively generate aircraft, evaluate pilot capabilities to employ the weapons in certain parameters as well as the functionality of the weapons systems inside the jets.

Second, after two weeks at WSEP, they immediately flew west, across North America, to participate in RED FLAG-Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base.

"Red Flag is a large-force coalition exercise focusing on the air battle," said Register. "It's designed to compile all of our training into a full-scale battle simulation. Our goal was to give combat sorties to members both on the operational and maintenance sides because this specific training, from the literal ground up, is vital to ensure our combat capabilities are ready."

RF-A is an intense, air-combat training performed throughout the vast mountain ranges of the Yukon River Valley near Eielson AFB.

"For aircrew, we have the highest chance of injury or even death within our first 10 combat sorties, therefore this exercise allows us to simulate the chaos and confusion of flying a complex combat mission; ultimately ensuring our aircrews have learned those lessons and will manage combat effectively and survive."

Now it's time to take the lessons learned and apply them to home-station training which is extremely valuable on Okinawa, he continued.

"We must help to strengthen the regional alliances while protecting the Okinawan populace and ourselves from potential threats by defending the U.S. and allied nations' interests here," said Register. "Red Flag is an opportunity for us to do just that, while focusing on teamwork, integrating with other aircraft and even other nations from across the globe."