Eagles, Falcons face off in air exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo
  • Air Force Print News
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) --  Eagles and Falcons, the Air Force's premier "birds of prey," are currently facing off here in a two-week air-to-air exercise called Sentry Aloha.

F-15 Eagles from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing have participated in the exercise since Sept. 6 that brings different combat aircraft together to train.

"The purpose of Sentry Aloha is to provide the Hawaii Guard F-15 pilots with training opportunities to fly against different types of fighters," said Chief Master Sgt. Craig Harimoto, Sentry Aloha liaison NCO.

Due to limited local available assets, it's difficult for the Hawaii ANG to complete all of their required air-to-air training, resulting in the National Guard Bureau and Pacific Air Forces deploying units to support the Hawaii ANG's training.

The 149th FW deployed approximately 75 Airmen and six F-16s. After their arrival, both squadrons began a full flying schedule of training scenarios. Flying over 70 sorties during the two-week exercise, these scenarios were designed not only to test the pilots, but also to hone their skills against aircraft with different capabilities and aircrews trained in different techniques and tactics.

Training included large adversary air-to-air threat scenarios incorporating four F-16s, two C-17 Globemaster IIIs, two KC-135 Stratotankers and two B-52 Stratofortresses. The Hawaii ANG's part in the exercise put them in protection scenarios of simulated airdrops, ensuring delivery of high-value assets.

"The Hawaii Air Guard pilots are doing an outstanding job of scenario management and mission success with overwhelming odds," said Lt. Col. Michael McCoy, 149th FW project officer. "In return we are given several missions where we are getting the Hawaii Air Guard to provide us with adversary support for our instructor pilots to brush up on their air-to-air skills."

"The air space is really a strength to training in Hawaii," Colonel McCoy said. "We train 100-plus miles offshore, which allows us to train at supersonic and ultra-high altitudes that is difficult to do on the mainland."