35th Fighter Wing maintains perfection at Alaska

  • Published
  • By Airman Kenna Jackson
  • 35th Figher Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members of the 13th Fighter Squadron, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit/14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 35th Operation Support Squadron and 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron went on temporary duty to perform the month-long Distant Frontier and Red Flag-Alaska exercise at Eielson Air Base, Alaska, Sept. 10.

"Our mission is to provide combatant commanders with lethal airpower proficient in Suppression of Enemy Air Defense, Destruction of Enemy Air Defense, Offensive Counter Air, and Defensive Counter Air," said Lt. Col. Gregory Kreuder, 13 FS commander.

Distant Frontier and Red Flag Alaska, created in 1975, are exercises made up of a series of very realistic and advanced aerial war games. The purpose of these simulated combat scenarios is to train pilots from the U.S., North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other allied countries for the pace and stress of real world combat situations, as well as utilizing enemy hardware and live ammunition for bombing exercises.

"Having experienced the integration of fighting high fidelity surface-to-air emitters, while combating robust air threats, I know that I am better prepared for real world operations," said Capt. Christian Hamilton, 13 FS.

"The ability to gain familiarity with our mission in this type of environment, while employing live ordnance, has allowed me to sharpen invaluable skill sets," said Hamilton, "The experience gained in Alaska is second-to-none and continues to keep the 13th Fighter Squadron the combat air force premier SEAD squadron."

Each pilot receives data through electronic warfare training emitters located throughout the Alaskan exercise ranges. All manned and unmanned emitters, which simulate realistic enemy surface-to-air missile systems and tactics, which are unavailable anywhere else in Pacific Air Force, are operated by the 353rd Combat Training Squadron.

An Air Force analysis of operations during the Vietnam War showed that a pilot's chances of survival in combat dramatically increases after they had completed 10 simulated combat missions. With the opportunity to fly 10 realistically-simulated combat missions in a safe-training environment, the results are immeasurable.

"Distant Frontier and Red Flag-Alaska have been extremely beneficial to my development as a fighter pilot," said Capt. Michael Cady, 13 FS Flight Lead pilot. "Training against real threat emitters in scenarios, that we are unable to reproduce at Misawa, has allowed for a faster and more in depth learning process regarding SEAD tactics and weapons employment specific to the Block 50. The additional support provided by the 18th Aggressor Squadron provides an excellent air to air training aide, enabling pilots like myself to increase our ability to fight a robust enemy air threat while still providing SEAD support to strike assets."

Fortunately, the pilots were not expected to complete these exercises without the helpful hand of 35th Fighter Wing maintainers. Just like the pilots, the maintainers were scheduled to go through their own intense training in an effort to ensure their desired skills were properly honed for battle.

"Maintainers work very hard every single day in all of the elements that mother nature can throw at them, against a very rigorous enemy to meet an incredible schedule." said Capt. Robert Goodreau, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Officer in Charge.

Some of the extensive maintenance done during these exercises was multiple weapons station's matrix repairs.

The matrix is a power distribution unit that connects the aircraft's mission computer to the weapons stations on the aircraft.

During the two exercises, the maintainers diligently replaced two engines and expertly handled three gun malfunctions during live air and ground emergencies.

Maintenance specialists replaced general flight control wiring harnesses and restored multiple aircraft's anti-skid, braking, control systems.

When an aircraft was having fuel complications, maintenance technicians found the problem and worked tirelessly with continental U.S. engineers to identify a fix.

"So far we've flown 254 sorties for a total of 384.5 hours, and repaired a total of 121 pilot reported discrepancies. We've completed a total of 83 scheduled maintenance inspections as well." said Capt. Goodreau.

During a week visit from the 35th Fighter Wing Commander, four maintainers were identified for their outstanding performance, and three were awarded "Maintainers of the Week" and given a Red flag t-shirt.

The men and women of the 35th Fighter Wing, deployed to Distant Frontier and Red Flag-Alaska, have proven themselves and continue to provide peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The electronic warfare ranges and dedicated aggressors together provide outstanding training," said Lt. Col. Kreuder, "and ensure we're ready to execute our combat mission when tasked."