Northern Edge heats up

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Firefighters from the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson complete rescue training June 17, 2011. In addition to maintaining the same training qualifications as civilian firefighters, the Airmen must learn how to rescue aviators from the various aircraft participating in Exercise Northern Edge 11. More than 6,000 servicemembers and 150 aircraft are participating in Alaska's largest military training exercise. (Photo by Marine Cpl. Marionne T. Mangrum)

Northern Edge heats up

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Firefighters from the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson complete rescue training June 17, 2011. In addition to maintaining the same training qualifications as civilian firefighters, the Airmen must learn how to rescue aviators from the various aircraft participating in Exercise Northern Edge 11. More than 6,000 servicemembers and 150 aircraft are participating in Alaska's largest military training exercise. (Photo by Marine Cpl. Marionne T. Mangrum)

Northern Edge heats up

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Firefighters from the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson complete rescue training June 17, 2011. In addition to maintaining the same training qualifications as civilian firefighters, the Airmen must learn how to rescue aviators from the various aircraft participating in Exercise Northern Edge 11. More than 6,000 servicemembers and 150 aircraft are participating in Alaska's largest military training exercise. (Photo by Marine Cpl. Marionne T. Mangrum)

Marines keep an eye on the sky in Alaska

Marine 1st Lt. Corey Belton (right) a surveillance identification director and Cpl. C.J. Orelien (center), a data link coordinator, monitor a three-dimensional air defense radar while directing Air Force aggressor pilots practicing aerial combat during Exercise Northern Edge 11, June 14, 2011. The Marines are assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron-1 supporting the exercise from Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska. (Navy photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Kim McLendon)

Joint JTAC and JFO training during Northern Edge

(From left to right) U.S. Army Private 1st Class Joshua LeJeune, acting Joint Fire Observer with the 1st Battalion "Airborne" 501st Infantry and Airman 1st Class Joshua Boley, a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) member with the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron, both from the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, conduct Joint Terminal Attack (JTAC) and Joint Fire Observer (JFO) training during the Northern Edge Premier Joint Training Exercise, at Donnley Training Area, June 14. The terrain will provide a realistic environment for mobile land warfare and fighter aircraft from varying branches of service during this exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley)

Joint JTAC and JFO training during Northern Edge

U.S. Air Force Airman Sergio Barcena-Turner, a Tactical Air Control Party member with the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, observes the target area as part of a combined Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and Joint Fire Observer (JFO) training scenario during the Northern Edge Premier Joint Training Exercise at the Donnley Training Area, June 14. Northern Edge is designed to be an air-centric exercise to train units in joint air operations tactics and command and control procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley)