U.S. participates in multinational air combat exercise
5/4/2004 - COLD LAKE, Alberta (AFPN) -- U.S. Air Force and Navy units are here participating in Maple Flag 37, an international air-combat exercise held May 3 to 14 by the Canadian air force.
About 20 aircraft and 600 people from the United States are practicing combined air operations with air forces from Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway and England.
“We’re getting an excellent training opportunity up here,” said Col. Russ Handy, U.S. deployed forces commander. “In all recent world conflicts, we’ve operated as a coalition. Here we are training as we fight -- side by side with other nations.”
The Maple Flag exercise is similar to the Red Flag exercises held several times a year at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. It simulates a coalition air war against enemy aircraft and ground targets. More than 2,000 people and 350 aircraft will be participating over six weeks, which is split into three two-week periods.
Pilots fly missions at the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, which is more than 4,000 square miles of flying space in northeastern Alberta. The airspace is just north of 4 Wing Cold Lake, where the exercise is based, and contains simulated ground targets, electronic interference and surface-to-air missile sites.
“The Cold Lake Air Weapons Range offers our allies almost unparalleled opportunities for advanced air-combat training,” said Col. C.S. Sullivan, 4 Wing commander. “The vast airspace, enhanced by leading edge technology, is very attractive to participating nations.”
U.S. units participating in the exercise include the 90th Fighter Squadron and the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; the 266th Range Squadron from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; the 414th Combat Training Squadron, the 64th Aggressor Squadron and the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Nellis AFB; and the 133rd Electronic Attack Squadron from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
U.S. deployed aircraft include F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, E-3B Sentries and EA-6B Prowlers. |
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