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Leaner Northern Edge exercise under way at Eielson

Release No. 2003077
March 7, 2003

By 2nd Lt. Teresa Snowden
Northern Edge Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Approximately 1,600 airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines and coastguardsmen are participating in a scaled-down version of Northern Edge, a joint-service training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base and other Alaska military installations, as well as the port of Valdez. The exercise, which began March 3, ends March 14.

Eielson AFB is hosting the Alaska Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 207th Infantry from Ft. Richardson and the1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery unit from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Although Cope Thunder 03-1 was cancelled, Northern Edge 03 is continuing, but on a smaller scale, explained Lt. Col. Curtis Viall, 353rd Cope Thunder Squadron commander. "Cope Thunder 03-1 was cancelled due to real-world events, and the current priority of airlift and tanker assets is to support real-world events; therefore, it did not appear we'd have sufficient airlift or tanker support to pull off the exercise," he said.

The 353rd Cope Thunder Squadron is hosting a three-day, six-mission, Large Force Employment exercise involving units from Eielson and Elmendorf AFBs. According to Viall, the objective of LFE is two-fold. "First, it's an opportunity to provide some quality LFE training for the Alaska units. Second, the LFE 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 years' Northern Edge also provides the training necessary to maintain continuity, Viall added.

"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 LFE 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 (PACAFNS).