MONTGOMERY – F-35 fighter jets from the Alabama Air National Guard 187th Fighter Wing recently participated in the Northern Lightning training exercise, designed to enhance the readiness of approximately 1,100 Airmen, Soldiers and Marines from more than 19 military units.
The 187th is based at Dannelly Field in Montgomery, and it is one of only four Air Guard units designated to fly the stealthy and technology-advanced F-35s, the most modern fighter used by the U.S. military and American allies.
The wing began transitioning from F-16s to F-35s last December and is expected to receive a total of 20 F-35s over the next five years. Construction during that time to accommodate the jets will total approximately $112 million in Alabama’s River Region, the Guard reported, and the wing is projected to be fully operational by 2026.
Northern Lightning was hosted Aug. 5-16 by Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center in Wisconsin. It required the 187th to perform operations beginning at Dannelly Field, flying more than 900 miles to simulate combat employment and train in a joint environment that includes the complexities of modern air warfare featuring fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
“Operating from home station and flying long sorties to the fight replicates the advanced logistical challenges that we will need to prepare for,” said Lt. Col. Derek “Diesel” Pegg, 187th Fighter Wing, director of plans and programs. “Island Hopping was a military strategy used in World War II in the Pacific. This scheme of maneuver makes moves difficult for enemies to predict and complicates the targeting cycle.
“Being able to scatter, regroup, update, and keep executing the commander’s intent is a critical skill.”
Pilots and aircrews in the exercise simulated operations in a contested environment, facing adversary aircraft, electronic jamming, and surface-to-air threats.
The F-35 is known for much more than its fighting abilities.
Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Dean, 187th Fighter Wing, said the advanced aircraft is a “critical enabler in a multi-domain environment as it can provide crucial data to allies and partners allowing for optimal wartime decision-making across large portions of the battlespace.
“Being able to simulate realistic wartime environments and integrate with other units is vital to our success,” Dean said.
Troy Turner is editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Photos by Capt. Michael Luangkhot of the 187th Fighter Wing; Luangkhot also contributed to this report.
Staff Sgt. Gianna Azzaro, 187th Fighter Wing maintainer, stands at parade rest in front of an F-35A lightning II at Dannelly Field, Ala., Aug. 6, 2024.
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