48th Fighter Wing participates in Point Blank 19-2

Photo By Senior Airman Rhonda Smith | A 492nd Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle takes off during exercise Point Blank 19-2 at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 27, 2019. This trilateral exercise provides a low-cost initiative designed to increase the tactical proficiency of participating air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rhonda Smith)  

RAF LAKENHEATH, SUFFOLK, UNITED KINGDOM

06.28.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Rhonda Smith 

48th Fighter Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – The 48th Fighter Wing took part in exercise Point Blank 19-2, alongside other U.S., French and Royal Air Force units participating from various locations in the U.K.

The airspace is uniquely situated to allow units to operate out of their respective bases and provides cost-effective training in a local environment.

“Point Blank focuses on fourth and fifth generation aircraft integration across three nations with a total of 48 aircraft meeting in the skies over the North Sea,” said Lt. Col. Jason Watkins, commander of the 48th Operations Support Squadron.

Participants were divided into opposing sides during the exercise.

“We had 34 blue air (good guys) and 14 red air (bad guys) in total,” said Watkins.

Military training and exercises with allies and partners is vital to our operational readiness and capability to respond anytime, anywhere.

• Date Taken: 06.28.2019
• Date Posted: 07.01.2019 06:50
• Story ID: 329881
• Location: RAF LAKENHEATH, SUFFOLK, GB