Arctic Warrior
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BONIFACE GATE RE-OPENS GATE, VISITORS CENTER OPEN 24/7 NEWAND BEGINNING AT 6 A.M. SUNDAY IMPROVED! JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON’S SOURCE FOR NEWS ARCTIC WARRIOR July 3, 2015 www.jber.af.mil Volume 6, No. 26 The F/A-18 Super Hornet: ‘PEACE COMES FROM THAT’ lessons on communication from a force- multiplier By Air Force Staff Sgt. William Banton NE15 Joint Information Bureau Exercise Northern Edge 2015 played host to a “force multiplier” capability giving operational commanders flexibility when employing tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario. The F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighter is, according to Navy.mil, the nation’s first strike fighter, designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities. But how do you inte- grate traditional strike applications in to the Northern Edge exercise environment, which is designed to sharpen tactical combat skills, improve command, control and com- Australian Army Warrant Officer Class 2 Roderick Orchard talks about joint training operations munication relationships, and develop joint with American paratroopers assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th interoperability? Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Wednesday. (U.S. Air “A lot of the tactics are very similar Force photo/Justin Connaher) [between the services], obviously there are different capabilities on both sides but for the most part, at the base line, the tactics are Australia, U.S. partnership takes it to the Outback relatively similar,” U.S. Navy Lt. Nicholas Fritzhand, F/A-18 weapons systems offi- By Airman 1st Class Kyle Johnson Marines and Air Force, Hardman said. “We have nine of the most venomous cer. “It’s the language we use to talk about JBER Public Affairs “There’s a joint strategic reach capability snakes in the world,” Orchard said. “We’ve things, which is completely different now. “ that’s critical here, our ability to reinforce got lots of vaccines for our snakes, but I have NE-15 provides a unique opportunity to Next week, the 3rd Battalion, 509th and support allies as well as to respond to yet to see a bear vaccine!” increase operational knowledge of other ser- Infantry (Airborne), 4th Infantry Brigade crisis around the world,” Hardman said. To prepare 3-509th paratroopers for the vices airframes, however, for the most part, Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry “Demonstrating that capability is criti- operation, Orchard and his compatriots have the tactical mission sets different airframes Division is scheduled to jump with Aus- cal to show we are able to do what we say jumped with them here in their own drop preform are similar across all branches, he tralian jumpmasters as part of the joint we can do.” zone over the past few weeks. said. For example, a Navy fighter is capable forcible entry operation dubbed Operation Part of that strategic reach is careful and The drop zone was named after the Battle of doing escorts and fleet air defense but if Talisman Saber. efficient planning coupled with effective of Kapyong, Korea, April 23 and 24, 1951, it was assigned an attack mission it would The operation serves two primary func- communication with sister branches and in which the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian also be able to perform force projection, tions. Australian forces. Regiment forces held their position against interdiction and close and deep air support. “The purpose of the exercise is first and To that end, over the past two and a half overwhelming odds as enemy forces at- “The learning process for us is getting foremost to reinforce our bilateral relation- weeks, a few Australian jumpmasters and tempted to recapture the city of Seoul. there after an event,” Fritzhand said. “The ship with Australia,” said Lt. Col. Matthew instructors have been at JBER to help pre- According to the Australian War Memo- [mission] will take us an hour of being in the Hardman, commander of the 3-509th. “For pare 3-509th paratroopers for the operation rial’s website, the Battle of Kapyong became sky fighting, but we will spend four hours us it’s all about deterring potential adver- ahead of them. known as the most significant debriefing.” saries and reassuring neighbors, and we do “We’ve been working with and important battle for Austra- Part of this process takes place as the that together. the battle preparation with lian troops in the Korean War. pilots unwind from the day’s events. “Peace comes from that.” the 509th and going The Australian regi- “We may end (the day) drawing arrows Talisman Saber is routinely performed through jump rehears- ment received support (representing the day’s events) saying ‘okay every other year, but the scope of the opera- als,” said Warrant Of- from Princess Patricia’s when we do this the Air Force uses that kind tion is anything but ordinary, Hardman said. ficer Class 2 Rod- Canadian Light In- of language,’” he said. They will jump into the Kapyong Drop erick Orchard, a fantry during the An advantage to a joint exercise involv- Zone – named after a historic battle in the jumpmaster and battle, and were ing approximately 200 aircraft from all Korean war – in Shoalwater Bay Training instructor with the relieved by U.S. service branches and units including U.S. Area, Queensland, Australia. Australian Army. Army troops. Pacific Command, Alaskan Command, U.S. The troops will leave JBER, fly more “The troops here Both the Austra- Pacific Fleet, Pacific Air Forces, Marine than a dozen hours, and exit an aircraft on are very professional.” lian and Canadian battalions Corps Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, Air a continent many of them have never been Jumping into a foreign received United States Presiden- Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, to before while under operational leader- continent can be scary, but Australia, like tial Distinguished Unit Citations for their Air Force Materiel Command, Air National ship from another country. Afterward, they Alaska, is well known for its unique wildlife. part in the battle. Guard, Air Force Reserve Command and will perform ground operations for the rest “That’s probably the number one thing The same interoperability that provided U.S. Naval Reserve is the proximity to a of the day before turning around and fly- we’ve been asked,” Orchard said. “What’s success in that battle is still being honed knowledge base pilots usually don’t have ing back to Alaska to do it all over again going to bite me and kill me?” today through Operation Talisman Saber. access to. the next day at the Malemute Drop Zone, Both parties received briefings concern- “The 509th’s been a great host since “Next door there is a Raptor squadron. Hardman said. ing the unique dangers of the other’s oper- we’ve been here,” Orchard said. “It’s been Next to them there is an F-15 squadron. We “It’s as close to as real as possible,” ating environment; something they share great to work with you guys and see the are able to just go over there and ask these Hardman said. “I think the [troops] are lighthearted jokes about. procedures and see how they work. guys, ‘Hey, when you said that what does looking forward to that.” While wildlife safety is something which “You’ve been doing a great job – and that mean? Would you mind coming over Successfully completing the operation is taken seriously, sometimes a bit of good- I’ll be looking forward to working with here and drawing us some arrows? What requires the strategic assistance of the Navy, natured humor can help assuage concerns. you again.” does your tactics involve when we set this kind of presentation,’” Fritzhand said. These types of lessons carry over to the maintainers who keep the fighters flying. Be safe and vigilant this holiday weekend “Not many people realize the amount of inspections and maintenance we do and the By Brian Bruckbauer I also want to emphasize the importance number of hours we put in,” said Aviation 673d Air Base Wing and JBER commander of maintaining our vigilance and situational Electrician’s’ Mate 3rd Class Lucas McLean. awareness to guard against a multitude of People have spent days, if not weeks This Independence Day marks the ongoing threats. worth of time, just to get one aircraft off the 239th anniversary of the signing of the Terrorism remains an enduring, persis- ground we don’t want to put all that work to Declaration of Independence. tent, and worldwide threat throughout the waste, he said. As we reflect on the heritage and values Indo-Pacific region and our homeland. Ter- “We have to exhaust every resource we of the United States, I would like to thank rorism comes in many forms and can happen have even if that means we have to go to each service member, civilian and family at any time. Remember, a vigilant effort every squadron and say ‘we need this part’ member for your devotion to duty and of detection and prevention is our greatest and if it’s not available [the aircraft] is going professionalism that protects our right to impairment of decision-making caused by weapon in the fight against terrorism. to get bumped out,’” McLean said. life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. alcohol. Have a plan and stick to it. If your Be watchful, and if you see something Like the pilots, a lot of the interaction The holiday weekend is a time to gather plan falls through, call Joint Base Against suspicious, contact local law enforcement, and learning on how to operate within other with friends and family, but is traditionally Drunk Driving at 384-RIDE.