Prep the weapons system

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Roh, a 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons technician, stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, inspects a weapon system prior to take-off during Northern Edge 2017 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 6, 2017. NE17 provides Airmen from Misawa AB the ability to sharpen their skills, practice operations, techniques and procedures, while continuing to demonstrate their commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Araceli Alarcon)

Preparing for flight

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Eric Baltazar, a 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit avionics technician, performs preflight inspections during Northern Edge 2017 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 9, 2017. NE17 is a training exercise providing effective, flexible and capable joint forces ready for deployment worldwide and enables real-world proficiency in detection, identification and tracking. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Araceli Alarcon)

f-16 Flying Falcons

Four F-16 Flying Falcons with the 13th Fighter Squadron from Misawa Air Base, Japan, taxi to the runway during Northern Edge 2017 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 6, 2017. NE17 provides aircrews the opportunity to hone current and test future applications of combat operations and weapons capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Araceli Alarcon)

Preflight inspections

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Harding, a 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, from Misawa Air Base, Japan, performs preflight inspections during Northern Edge 2017 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 9, 2017. NE17 is a training exercise providing effective, flexible and capable joint forces ready for deployment worldwide and enables real-world proficiency in detection, identification and tracking. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Araceli Alarcon)

Taxi to runway

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 13th Fighter Squadron from Misawa Air Base, Japan, taxi to the runway during Northern Edge 2017 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 6, 2017. NE17 provides aircrews an opportunity to hone current and test future applications of combat operations and weapons capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Araceli Alarcon)

Misawa bolsters Northern Edge air defense mission

Published May 11, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Araceli Alarcon
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Approximately 6,000 U.S. military personnel and more than 200 aircraft gathered at different locations around Alaska for Northern Edge 2017.

NE17 is a training exercise providing effective, flexible and capable joint forces ready for deployment worldwide. The training also enables real-world proficiency in detecting, identifying and tracking of units at sea, air and on land, and response to multiple crises.

During NE17, 13th Fighter Squadron Airmen, stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, call Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, home for the next two months.

“NE is a unique exercise because it’s a chance for the Department of Defense to test new capabilities of current platforms against new and emerging threats,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Moeller, the 13th Fighter Squadron commander. “The F-16 Fighting Falcon not only has the ability to find threats but is the one platform that can detect, pin point their location accurately and attack them.”

The training allows for U.S. military personnel to integrate with unfamiliar faces, spot weaknesses and fix them in a rehearsal environment, making for a stronger force as a whole.

"We are bringing together people who have a lot of experience in rocket artillery with the Air Force and the Army to see what we can really do," explained 2nd Lt. Yabia Aldhahraa, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Platoon, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division fire detection officer. "To see the small details in working with one another, making sure we're all on the same language and we are getting those questions answered."

The 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit sustains the aircraft and weapons systems, ensuring pilots are able to fly allowing them to get the training they need, while learning to overcome any shortages from being away from home station.

“During NE17 we make sure the weapons systems are 100 percent mission capable,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Fontanilla, a 13th AMU weapons technician. “If something isn’t working, we fix it and make it operational in a timely manner to avoid interrupting training.”

The exercise is designed to sharpen participants’ tactical combat skills, improve command, control and communication relationships and develop interoperable plans and programs across the joint force.

“NE17 helps identify our strengths and weaknesses and shape our planning, funding and training,” said Moeller. “It’s important for the 35th Fighter Wing to be here to demonstrate the kinds of capabilities available across the PACAF area of operations.”