'Vampire Bats' take to
skies of Alaska
by Marine Sgt. Zachary Dyer
Northern Edge 2009 Joint Information Bureau
6/25/2009 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE,
Alaska -- Northern Edge 2009 is a joint training exercise
connecting approximately 9,000 servicemembers from throughout the
country and throughout the world, and involving more than 200 aircraft.
Some of those service members and aircraft came from as far away as
Kadena Air Force Base, Japan.
Pilots and maintenance personnel from the 44th Fighter Squadron and the
44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit made the trip to the 'Last Frontier' to
participate in the largest military training exercise in Alaska, June
15-26.
The 44th FS, known as the "Vampire Bats," brought 12 of their F-15
Eagles to add their own "sound of freedom" to the Alaskan skies. During
the exercise, the 'Bats have the opportunity to train alongside Navy and
Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets, F-22 Raptors and C-17 Globemasters.
"It's a great opportunity to work with other units, other platforms,"
said Capt. Michael Kuehni, a F-15 pilot with the 44th FS. "We have the
Air Force, Navy, Marine and Army working all together to achieve a
common objective."
The pilots of the 44th FS will train in counter-air operations, close
air support, and air interdiction of maritime targets during the
two-week exercise. The overall focus of Northern Edge is to prepare each
of the services to respond to a crisis in the Asia-Pacific region.
Northern Edge also gives the pilots of the 44th FS the chance to see how
well the different services work together and the strengths and
weaknesses that each service brings to the table in different
situations, according to Kuehni.
While the pilots are up in the sky, the Airmen of the 44th AMU are
working on the ground to make sure the pilots are able to stay there.
"Its pretty impressive getting to work with all the services," said
Master Sgt. Eric Butts, the maintenance project officer for the 44th
AMU. "I've worked with a lot of Marines and a lot of Navy guys so far to
help create the whole process. Just to have the opportunity to bring all
12 F-15s that we brought, plus the 120-body maintenance package, has
been an absolutely fantastic time so far. It's been a good experience."
Northern Edge provides a great training experience for many of the young
Airmen that the 44th AMU brought with them, according to Butts. The
operational tempo of the exercise means the Airmen get a lot of hands-on
maintenance time on the aircraft to make sure they are always ready to
fly.
"We brought quite a few new guys on this trip," said Butts. "Most of
them, this is actually their first (TDY, and it's good for them to
actually see what it actually takes to put the mission together."
The young Airmen on the line making sure their aircraft are ready to
answer the call appreciate the opportunity to be part of something as
large as Northern Edge.
"I think it's great because it replicates a real-world scenario - if a
real-world crisis was to happen," said Airman 1st Class Brendan Lowry, a
F-15 crew chief with the 44th AMU. "Being maintainers, we don't really
interact that much with the other service members. But the pilots,
they're doing some really cool stuff up there with the other services."
F-15 Eagles from the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena AB,
Okinawa, Japan, take part in exercise Northern Edge 2009, Elmendorf AFB,
Alaska, June 17, 2009. Northern Edge 2009 is Alaska's largest military
training exercise. It prepares joint forces to respond to crises
throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (Released/U.S. Air Force photo by
TSgt Dennis J. Henry Jr.)
A flight of F-15C Eagles from the 44th Fighter
Squadron, Kadena Air Base, flies during a total solar eclipse over the
island of Okinawa, Japan July 22, 2009. The eclipse was a rare
opportunity for service members stationed here to witness this unique
event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Chad Warren)
44th Fighter Squadron
trains with JASDF in Hokkaido
by Beth Gosselin
18th Wing Public Affairs
12/9/2008 - HOKKAIDO, Japan -- Pilots
and maintenance personnel from the 44th Fighter Squadron and 44th
Aircraft Maintenance Unit arrived at Chitose Japan Air Self-Defense
Force Base in Hokkaido Dec. 8 to participate in bilateral training with
the JASDF 2nd Air Wing.
Throughout the week, the Airmen will work side-by-side with their JASDF
counterparts to increase operational readiness and enhance bilateral
interoperability as part of the Aviation Training Relocation program.
For many Airmen, the opportunity to train with the JASDF 201st and 203rd
Tactical Fighter Squadrons was a welcome one. The three squadrons worked
together during air refueling training last spring at Naha Air Base and
during Red Flag Alaska.
"I saw some familiar faces from Red Flag so it's great to fly with them
again. I look forward to training with them this week," said Capt. John
Fischer, a pilot with the 44th Fighter Squadron.
The Airmen were treated to a welcome dinner hosted by the 2nd Wing with
more than 70 JASDF personnel and distinguished visitors from the local
community. The base commander, Maj. Gen. Shimpei Fukue, welcomed the
crowd in both English and Japanese and explained how happy he was for
the valuable training both sides will receive.
Lt. Col. Jeff Klein, assistant director of operations for the 44th FS
and detachment commander of this ATR, thanked the local community and
JASDF staff for the hospitality and opportunity to train at Chitose.
"We usually fly in Okinawa and are excited to train over different
terrain and in new condition, even if it means operating in the freezing
cold."
This is the first ATR at Chitose Air Base and members of the 44th FS and
44th AMU hope it will not be the last.
"These ATRs are a great chance for us to continue the positive working
relationship we have with JASDF and learn from one another," said
Colonel Klein.
