Marine Corps launches into RED FLAG-Alaska 16-2

U.S. Marine Corps F-18 Hornet assigned to the Fixed Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, are prepared for flying operations June 7, 2016, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-2, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A enables enables joint and international units to sharpen their combat skills by flying simulated combat sorties in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. B.L. Wild, an F-18 Hornet power line mechanic assigned to Fixed Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, awaits the arrival of pilots June 7, 2016, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-2, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A provides training for deployed maintenance and support personnel in sustainment of large force deployed operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Austin Perry, front center, an F-18 Hornet powerline mechanic and plane captain assigned to Fixed Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 242, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, communicates with operations staff over the radio June 7, 2016, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-2, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. VFMA (AW) is one of more than 30 units participating in RF-A 16-2 that benefits from the unique opportunity to integrate with various joint, coalition and multilateral forces to train at a simulated forward operating base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-18 Hornet pilot assigned to the Fixed Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, conducts a pre-flight inspection June 7, 2016, during RED FLAG-Alaska16-2, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The F-18 is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

U.S. Marine Corps F-18 Hornet pilots assigned to Fixed Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, secure themselves inside their cockpit June 7, 2016, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A)16-2, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Pilots involved with RF-A are exposed to realistic combat training supported by the 18th Aggressor Squadron, which shares knowledge of flying and provides the best air combat training possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-18 Hornet assigned to Fixed Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, taxis past a Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, June 7, 2016, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-2, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. In addition to enabling joint and international units to work side-by-side, RF-A allows coalition forces to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-18 Hornet assigned to Fixed Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, taxis down the tarmac June 7, 2016, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-2, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Eielson serves as a key strategic location for RF-A training and the exercise signifies the United State’s continued commitment to Indo-Asia-Pacific partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)