Fight tonight, win tomorrow

U.S. Air Force Capt. Marc Dufresne, 80th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot from Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, performs standard pre-flight checks before taxiing to the runway on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 13, 2012. The deployment of forces throughout the Pacific Air Forces provides unique opportunities to help integrate various forces in joint, coalition and bilateral training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Tara A. Williamson)

Fight tonight, win tomorrow

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff Curtis, 80th Fighter Squadron crew chief from Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, talks with Capt. Marc Dufresne, 80th FS F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, while performing pre-flight engine checks on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 13, 2012. The F-16s and accompanying crew members arrived at Kadena June 8 and will be collaborating with the base's F-15 Eagle fighter jets for two weeks to train for combat operations with other units and aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Tara A. Williamson)

Fight tonight, win tomorrow

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff Curtis, 80th Fighter Squadron crew chief from Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, talks to a F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot during a pre-flight rudder check before taxiing to the runway on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 13, 2012. The F-16s and accompanying crew members arrived at Kadena June 8 and will remain at Kadena for two weeks. Their time on Kadena provides unique opportunities to help integrate various forces in joint, coalition and bilateral training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Tara A. Williamson)

Kunsan Falcons arrive, take on Kadena's Eagles

Published June 13, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Laszlo Babocsi
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- A dozen F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and 150 Airmen from the 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, arrived here last weekend to conduct two weeks of dissimilar aircraft training.

While the training is not in response to any specific situation in this region, the deployment of the Kunsan fighter squadron provides 18th Wing units like the 44th Fighter Squadron, 67th FS, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron and 909th Air Refueling Squadron with unique opportunities to help integrate various forces in joint, coalition and bilateral training.

"Our goal is to gain experience fighting dissimilar aircraft in close air-to-air combat, while providing similar opportunities to the F-15 pilots stationed at Kadena," explained Lt. Col. Douglas Thies, 80th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. "We anticipate that in our area of responsibility there is a strong chance that pilots will have to merge with and engage enemy aircraft in close proximity."

The commander said it's important for the pilots to engage in close air-to-air combat. More so, it's important to engage other types of aircraft to experience their capabilities first-hand.

"I have only been in the combat Air Force for 10 months and only engaged with F-16s," said Capt. Keegan Dale, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. "The chance to engage with the F-15 Eagles provides a unique opportunity for me to test my abilities against a different aircraft and learn how it operates."

The training allows the Airmen from Kunsan to experience not only simulated aerial combat, but also test their capability to pack up and relocate, while still moving forward with the mission.

With continued operational training like this, the Airmen from both Kunsan and Kadena will be well-prepared for contingency operations throughout the Pacific theater.

"This dissimilar air-to-air combat training is vital to preserving the Pacific Air Forces' ability to gain and maintain air superiority," said Thies.