KADENA AIR BASE, Japan –
More than 20 F-22A Raptor pilots from the 94th Fighter Squadron and Virginia Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing are preparing to engage in dissimilar training during their deployment here.
While at Kadena the Raptor will be flying in various "blue" and "red" air missions, long range missions; large force exercises and short range visual engagements.
"We will train primarily with Air Force, Naval and Marine assets and at times fly with Japan Air Self Defense Force," said Maj. Steve Frodsham, 94th FS pilot. "We are going to participate in all kinds of training from the most basic fighting maneuvers, such as a one vs. one dogfight, to large force employment exercises where there could be as many as 30 to 50 aircraft airborne at any given time."
The 94th FS and members of the 192nd FW hope to achieve familiarity with the coalition force tactics so there are no surprises if they ever meet under the same combat air patrol, said Colonel Spain.
"This is a great opportunity for us to spend a sustained amount of time training with our Air Force and coalition counterparts, that we could potentially be asked to execute with in combat," he said.