Leaner Northern Edge exercise under way at Eielson Published March 11, 2003 By 2nd Lt. Teresa Snowden Northern Edge Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- Approximately 1,600 airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are participating in a scaled-down version of Northern Edge, a joint-service training exercise here and at other Alaska military installations, as well as the port of Valdez. The exercise, which began March 3, ends March 14.The Alaska Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 207th Infantry from Ft. Richardson, Alaska, and the 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery unit from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, deployed here for the exercise.The 353rd Cope Thunder Squadron officials organized the three-day, six-mission, large force employment exercise involving units from here and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. According to Lt. Col. Curtis Viall, 353rd Cope Thunder Squadron commander, the objective of the exercise is twofold."First, it's an opportunity to provide some quality ... training for the Alaska units. Second, the (exercise) gives the 353rd CTS a chance to test our range systems and train our mission directors, range-training officers and threat operators," he said.This year's Northern Edge also provides the training necessary to maintain continuity, Viall said."It has been six months since our last exercise. This gives new troops a chance to learn the processes of hosting an exercise," Viall said.Northern Edge is designed to provide training to maintain a high state of joint readiness and to sharpen individual skills."This (exercise) improves our capability to integrate and fight along side our sister services as one war-fighting team," Viall said. "It ensures we fully understand each other's capabilities and limitations."For more information on Northern Edge 2003, visit the exercise Web site at http://www.elmendorf.af.mil/ALCOM/NE03/webdocs/index.htm. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service).