Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel | 354th Fighter Wing | 05.09.2016
U.S. Navy pilots from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, transition to their EA-18G Growler aircraft for a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The primary mission of the flying unit is the suppression of enemy air defenses in support of strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel | 354th Fighter Wing | 05.09.2016
U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Neely, from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, tightens screws after finding one loose while inspecting panels on an EA-18G Growler aircraft prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The aircraft logged more than 500 tactical flying hours during RF-A 16-1, which......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel | 354th Fighter Wing | 05.09.2016
U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Neely, from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, inspects rivets and panels on an EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The aircraft logged more than 500 tactical flying hours during RF-A 16-1, which requires maintainers to......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel | 354th Fighter Wing | 05.09.2016
A U.S. Navy Sailor from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, inspects the landing gear on an EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Without the expertise of maintenance Sailors, pilots from VAQ-137 wouldn’t be able to fulfill their mission to provide the best airborne......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel | 354th Fighter Wing | 05.09.2016
U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, inspect the engine exhaust of an EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Without the expertise of maintenance Sailors, pilots from VAQ-137 wouldn’t be able to fulfill their mission to provide the best airborne......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel | 354th Fighter Wing | 05.09.2016
U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, discuss upcoming maintenance prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces command directed field training exercise for U.S. and allied forces, to provide joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel | 354th Fighter Wing | 05.09.2016
U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, perform a foreign objects walk prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The Sailors walk their area of responsibility before each launch to provide safety to the pilots and prevent damage to aircraft engines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)...
Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel | 354th Fighter Wing | 05.04.2016
U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Kuzmuk, an 18th Aggressor Squadron pilot, secures Airman 1st Class Victoria Ortaleza, a 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron electronic and environmental systems journeyman, into to the F-16D Fighting Falcon aircraft they will fly in at Eielson Air Force base, Alaska, May 4, 2016 during a RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 sortie. In addition to her contributions to RF-A,......
