MEDIA CONTEST: NE 06 highlights Raptor synergy, joint capabilities

Published Dec. 26, 2006
News Entry 4

ACC MEDIA CONTEST -- The final mission flies today at Northern Edge 2006, but the majority of the results are already in, and success is the buzzword from Alaska.

During the two-week joint-service exercise, several scenarios have proven that the interoperability and integration between American assets are stronger than ever.

"Alaska's aerial ranges and airspace provide unique capabilities to train to this scope," said Col. Steve Hatter, Northern Edge exercise director. "We are extremely pleased with what we've been able to see thus far."

One major goal of the exercise was to test and train with the Department of Defense's newest weapons system, the F-22A Raptor. NE 06 is the first exercise opportunity Raptor teams have had to display seamless integration with operators from the Navy, Marine Corps and Army, and to prove how the jet's capabilities will transform the wartime environment.

"We've had the chance to work with some of these assets before on a limited basis," said Lt. Col. Wade Tolliver, 27th Fighter Squadron commander and F-22 pilot. "But this is really the first time we've been able to demonstrate the synergy between our resources on such a large scale."

Each exercise day included distinct scenarios based on air-to-air and air-to-ground tasks or personnel recovery operations. Diverse joint-service assets were incorporated
to accomplish every mission, with robust air-to-air and surface-to air threats simulated daily to investigate the enabling muscle of the F-22.

"The Raptors gave our guys a chance to focus on their mission to find and destroy specific naval targets," said Capt. George Mullani, 3rd Wing Air-to-Ground Tactics chief and F-15E Strike Eagle pilot.

"That was just one example of our joint domination in the airspace," he said.