EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The largest military training exercise in Alaska, Northern Edge 2008, begins May 5 with about 5,000 U.S. active duty, national guard, and Reserve component Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.

Alaskan Command hosts the air-centric exercise, which will involve more than 120 Air Force, Army, Air National Guard, Navy, and Marine aircraft. It will be conducted mainly from here and Elmendorf Air Force Base using the airspace throughout the Pacific Alaska Range Complex and the Gulf of Alaska.

NE 08 is a tactical exercise that provides a joint environment to train warfighters for their real-world missions. It will help prepare forces to respond to crises in the Asian Pacific region by practicing operations, techniques and procedures; by improving command, control and communication relationships; and by developing interoperable plans and programs. Participants will practice defensive counter air, close-air support, air interdiction of maritime targets, personnel recovery missions and the opportunity to integrate new weapon systems to evaluate full potential performance.

The exercise is designed to sharpen skills; practice operations, techniques and procedures; improve command, control and communication relationships; and develop interoperable plans and programs, according to Alaskan Command. A joint training event such as NE 08 provides effective, flexible and capabilities-centered joint forces ready for deployment worldwide.

Environmental protection is an integral part of the exercise. The Air Force conducted a cumulative assessment of the effects of joint exercise on the environment and through coordination and planning, has done everything possible to mitigate harm to the environment. The Air Force will continue to assess training impacts and take necessary precautions to alleviate any impacts on the environment.

Airframes participating in NE08 include the F-22 Raptor, F-15 Eagle, E-3 Sentry, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-135 Stratotanker, HC-130 Combat Talon, B-52 Stratofortress, F/A-18 Hornet, HH-60 Pave Hawk.

Units participating in NE 08 will come from Hickam, Elmendorf, Nellis Air Force Bases; Kadena and Misawa Air Bases; Kulis Air National Guard Base; Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni; and Fort Wainwright.

Major participating units include U.S. Pacific Command, Alaskan Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pacific Air Forces, Marine Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, Special Operations Command Pacific, Air Combat Command, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and U.S. Naval Reserve.

NE 08 is the largest military training exercise scheduled in Alaska this year.