VOLK FIELD, Wis. — A combined team of active-duty and Reserve component pilots conducted advanced aerial combat and integration training during Exercise Trojan Cheddar at the Volk complex from March 31 to April 2. The detachment, consisting of six active-duty and five Reserve pilots, deployed with five aircraft to execute full mission profiles designed to seamlessly integrate 4th- and 5th-generation fighter capabilities in a contested environment.
Throughout the three-day exercise, the unit flew four major flight periods, commonly referred to as "goes." Each launch featured four of the unit's jets integrating into a complex airspace alongside additional assets. A standard planned flight profile included four F-35 Lightning IIs and two F-16 Fighting Falcons operating as friendly forces, pitted against two F-16s providing dedicated adversary air (ADAIR) support.
The exercise's full mission profiles heavily emphasized advanced strike capabilities. Sorties were tailored toward the destruction of simulated surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and ballistic missile threats. During these runs, pilots utilized integrated weapons systems to enhance and streamline joint targeting processes.
Beyond high-end strike missions, the training provided crucial skill-building in other operational domains. Participating units received initial on-scene command training for search and rescue operations, focusing on the execution of basic "Sandy" checklists to coordinate support for downed aviators.
To round out the tactical training, pilots also engaged in dissimilar basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) and air combat maneuvering (ACM), honing their close-range, air-to-air combat skills against platform types different from their own.
By blending active-duty and Reserve expertise across varied mission sets—from dynamic targeting to combat search and rescue—Exercise Trojan Cheddar successfully bolstered the readiness and lethality of the participating squadrons.