Photo By Staff Sgt. Shanice Ship | An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron takes off at Tyndall Air...... read more read more
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The 494th Fighter Squadron arrived to participate in exercise Checkered Flag 19-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 6.
Checkered Flag is a large-force exercise that fosters interoperability through the incorporation of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft in combat training. Some of the units participating include the 94th FS from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia and the 67th FS assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan.
The exercise also strengthens partnerships between units to ensure a more lethal force in combat through familiarization and joint learning.
“Exercise Checkered Flag primarily focuses on building the global response force,” said Lt. Col. Jaina Donberg, 494th FS commander. “The Secretary of Defense uses global response force to allocate forces in response to unplanned operations. This includes units from across the joint force. Checkered Flag allows us the opportunity to train together and build trust to enhance our effectiveness should we go to combat.”
Participating bases will conduct mission simulations throughout the course of the exercise. Personnel will test their ability to mobilize, integrate, deploy and employ combat airpower assets on a larger scale while tactically integrating with various fighter squadrons.
The 494th FS plans to fire 22 live missiles allowing less experienced pilots in the squadron the opportunity to add real-world live fire experience to their repertoire. Some scenarios include employing weapons against drones to test the capabilities of each type of weapon, according to Donberg.
In conjunction with Checkered Flag, adding air dominance weapons training is vital to maintaining a lethal force, she said.
“We’re also here at Tyndall Air Force Base for the weapons system evaluation program, which evaluates live missile shoots,” said Donberg. “Evaluation starts from maintenance loading the missiles, to the pilots employment of the weapons systems. The data from this program helps the U.S. Air Force enhance our weapons and weapons systems to be a more effective combat Air Force.”
The two-week long exercise will incorporate the joint tactical skills of the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-22 Raptor and F-15C Eagle. Some aircraft participating in the exercise are also operating from other bases, such as the F-35 Lightning IIs deploying from Eglin AFB, Florida.
Checkered Flag 19-1 is the first exercise to be conducted after the reopening of Tyndall AFB since being affected by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.
“This Checkered Flag is special in that Tyndall continues to support air dominance training by rapidly ensuring the installation is ready to host such a large exercise shortly after a natural disaster,” said Donberg.
The exercise also ensures the continued training of U.S. Air Force personnel and their enhanced readiness to forward deploy.
The accompanying 48th Fighter Wing aircraft maintenance personnel have the opportunity to train alongside the FS to ensure the entire team maintains mission ready capabilities.
“Exercises like Checkered Flag gives us a chance to do things we would not normally get to at our home station,” said Master Sgt. Robert Parsons, lead production superintendent assigned to the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “It gives every Airman involved in contingency rapid mobility, the training necessary to ensure they’re ready if or when the time comes.”
According to Parsons, the experience the supporting maintenance squadron receives through a joint training exercise promotes confidence in their ability to respond and expands the team’s expertise and efficiency.
“Our maintenance crew here is multifaceted,” Parson said. “They do more than maintain and fix the aircraft when we deploy. They are responsible for moving cargo and assisting other units to guarantee the mission is accomplished no matter what.”
Checkered Flag provides an advantageous setting to hone the skills of experienced maintainers and develop efficiency of less experienced team members to maintain an adaptive proficient team, he said.
Donberg also expressed a similar desire for the panther team and confidence in their abilities.
“In the Panthers, we like to keep our claws sharp...sharp claws mean readiness, readiness means lethality and lethality means we’re going to win,” Donberg said. “When we go back to United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, we’ll be that much better and we’ll be ready for any contingency as the finest, baddest, meanest fighter squadron.”
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2019 17:19 |
| Story ID: | 321726 |
| Location: | TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 441 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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