New focus puts future training over the 'edge'

  • Published
  • By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jessica B. Davis
  • Northern Edge Joint Information Bureau
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) --  Department of Defense servicemembers participating in Northern Edge '04 have a new focus this year, joint warfighter training, as well as a different focus in 2005, homeland defense.

Pacific Command and Northern Command officials have agreed to share Alaska Command's premier joint exercise.

In even-numbered years, Northern Edge will focus on PACOM objectives, and in odd-numbered years, the exercise will focus on NORTHCOM objectives.

"We decided 2004 would concentrate on Pacific Command missions," said Maj. Houstoun Waring, Northern Edge air planner. "Last year we began planning after (Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, PACOM commander) approved the new focus."

Northern Edge '04 includes 9,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from active-duty, Reserve and National Guard units participating and sharpening their military skills.

"This year, we are doing joint training over water and land," Major Waring said. "The large force over land gives aircrews the opportunity to drop concrete bombs which is something we can't do over water."

The objective for PACOM is for military services to have joint interoperability throughout the Pacific.

"Northern Command's objectives for Northern Edge are focused upon homeland security and homeland defense." Major Waring said. "In odd years, the military works with federal, state, and local government agencies."