Panthers on the prowl: 13th FS stalks Alaskan skies

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 13th Fighter Squadron takes off for deployment to Alaska July 23. More than 170 Airmen from the 13th FS and the 35th Maintenance Group deployed throughout the week to participate in exercises Distant Frontier and Red Flag-Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)

Panthers on the prowl: 13th FS stalks Alaskan skies

Published July 22, 2010
By 1st Lt. Jeff M. Nagan
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- More than 170 Airmen from the 13th Fighter Squadron and the 35th Maintenance Group deployed throughout the week to participate in exercises Distant Frontier and Red Flag-Alaska.

Distant Frontier is a weapons training deployment where pilots drop live and inert munitions, while Red Flag Alaska is an exercise where pilots provide offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.

"In order to execute our wing mission, we continuously train and equip our Airmen to employ airpower at a moment's notice," said Lt. Col. Gregory Kreuder, 13th FS commander. "This exercise will give our pilots, maintainers, and operational support personnel the experience and skills they need to be successful in flying and supporting both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions."

During the combined Distant Frontier and Red Flag exercises the squadron will work closely with various units from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, which will better prepare the 13th FS for its upcoming Air Expeditionary Force deployment later this year, added Colonel Kreuder.