JASDF joins RF-A 11-2

A member of the Japan Air Self Defense Force maintenance squadron guides a F-15 Eagle fighter jet July 15, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Several Japan Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi F-15 Eagles joined other RED FLAG-Alaska participants July 12 after having its entire F-15 fighter fleet grounded in response to an incident on July 4 with one of the fighter jets during a routine training exercise back in Japan. The F-15 Eagle belongs to the Japan Air Self Defense Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by/Staff Sgt. Miguel Lara)

JASDF joins RF-A 11-2

An F-15 Eagle lands after a sortie July 15, 2011, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The F-15 flew a variety of tactics and missions in concert with other participating aircraft throughout the exercise. The F-15 Eagle belongs to the Japan Air Self Defense Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by/Staff Sgt. Miguel Lara)

Northern Edge 2011 gears up at Eielson AFB

F-15E Strike Eagles await the next sortie during NORTHERN EDGE 2011 June 13, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. NORTHERN EDGE provides effective, flexible and capabilities-centered joint forces ready for deployment worldwide and enables real world proficiency in detection and tracking of units at sea, in the air and on land, in response to multiple crises. The Strike Eagles are assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Northern Edge 2011 gears up at Eielson AFB

Senior Airman Mitchell Lake prepares an F-15E Strike Eagle during NORTHERN EDGE 2011 June 13, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. NORTHERN EDGE provides effective, flexible and capabilities-centered joint forces ready for deployment worldwide and enables real world proficiency in detection and tracking of units at sea, in the air and on land, in response to multiple crises. Airman Lake is a crew chief assigned to the 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Fueling the fight

Capt. Brittany Gilmer pilots a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during RED FLAG-Alaska 11-1, April 28, 2011. The JPARC covers more than 67,000 square miles and enables the military to have the largest air-ground training complex in America. Captain Gilmer is a KC-135 pilot assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Miguel Lara III)Miguel Lara III)

RED FLAG-Alaska provides tools to succeed

An F-15 Eagle taxis to the runway before conducting a simulated combat sortie over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during RED FLAG-Alaska, April 21, 2011. The JPARC covers more than 67,000 square miles and enables the military to have the largest air-ground training complex in America. The F-15 is assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)