DANNELLY FIELD, Ala. – The Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing participated recently in Checkered Flag 25-2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
The April 29-May 15 exercise was designed to enhance air-to-air combat training against advanced threat aircraft in a contested environment.
Checkered Flag 25-2, a large-force exercise, saw the integration of joint operations with the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. The exercise hosted more than 60 aircraft, including T-38 Talon, E-3 Sentry, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15C Eagles, F-15E Strike Eagles, F-18 Hornets, EA-18G Growler, F-22 Raptor, F-35A, F-35B and F-35C Lightning II. Additionally, more than 1,000 personnel from more than 10 squadrons were involved in ground and air operations.
“This exercise simulates the challenges pilots might encounter in the face of a peer adversary, and the ability to experience several repetitions in a joint operations environment over the course of the three exercises is extremely valuable,” said Maj. Alan “Hammer” Pippin, 187th Fighter Wing project officer for Checkered Flag. “Additionally, there are a lot of moving pieces required to generate this many sorties. Without our maintenance and logistics teams, we could not have successfully completed our training.”
The coordination by the 187th Fighter Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron involved the movement of more than 70 short tons of cargo and more than 150 personnel. The planning began in early January, showcasing the Alabama National Guard’s commitment to agile combat employment in complex logistic environments.
“Logistics is the key in agile combat and can be an extremely complex issue with the movement of personnel and assets,” said Tech Sgt. Amira Tolbert of the 187th Fighter Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron Traffic Management Office. “We have an amazing team that is passionate about executing the mission and ensuring we have everything we need to operate effectively. The increased operations tempo away from home station with a minimum footprint provides us with vital hands-on experience needed to execute sustained combat air power in any environment.”
The 187th Fighter Wing concentrated on the crucial mission of air-to-air combat over the Gulf of America. This training scenario, with combined capabilities, will be paramount in joint all-domain operations and maintaining air superiority in contested airspace.