Pacific Fleet aircraft carrier takes part in exercise Northern Edge, for the first time in 10 years

The U.S. largest joint training exercise Northern Edge 2019 kicked off on May 13 in Alaska.

According to a news release put out by the U.S. Navy, a feature of these exercises will be the participation of a Pacific Fleet aircraft carrier.

The officials said that for the first time in 10 years, a Pacific Fleet aircraft carrier participating in the exercise.

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“Personnel from U.S. military units stationed in the continental United States and from U.S. installations in the Indo-Pacific will participate with approximately 250 aircraft from all services, and five U.S. Navy ships,” also added in a statement.

Northern Edge 2019 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises in 2019 that prepares joint forces to respond to crises in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise is designed to sharpen participants’ tactical combat skills, to improve command, control and communication relationships, and to develop interoperable plans and programs across the joint force.

Major participating units include: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Materiel Command, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and U.S. Naval Reserve.

NE19 is the largest military training exercise scheduled in Alaska this year with virtual and live participants from all over the United States exercising alongside live players.

An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned with the 85th Test and Evaluation squadron, 53rd Wing, lands May 8, 2019 in preparation for exercise Northern Edge 19 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

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