More than one dozen South Korea-based Air Force F-16 fighters and some 150 airmen flew to Japan for two weeks of air-to-air combat drills, tangling with F-15s at Kadena Air Base, announced Kadena officials June 13. “This dissimilar air-to-air combat training is vital to preserving the Pacific Air Forces’ ability to gain and maintain air superiority,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Thies, commander of the F-16 contingent from Kunsan AB, South Korea, that arrived at Kadena on June 8. “The chance to engage with the F-15 Eagles provides a unique opportunity for me to test my abilities against a different aircraft and learn how it operates,” added Capt. Keegan Dale, an F-16 pilot. Directing the F-15s of Kadena’s 44th Fighter Squadron against the visiting Falcons also gives Kadena’s AWACs aircrews realistic practice in controlling aerial engagements, and its tanker crews practice in refueling a broad range of aircraft types. (Kadena report by SSgt. Laszlo Babocsi)
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…