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MAG-12 trains in Thailand

USMC

Story Identification Number: 200331213316
Story by Lance Cpl. Ben Slack

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan(March 7, 2003) -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 is playing a vital role in the multilateral Exercise Cope Tiger 2003 in Korat, Thailand.

The squadron has taken to the skies against United States, Thai and Singapore Air Forces in a barrage of simulated war games.

According to Lt. Col. James Bright, VMFA-212 commanding officer, the pilots have received important training and will have the opportunity to learn how other aircraft maneuver.

"We know what our planes are capable of, so it is easy for us to go up and fly against each other," said Bright. "Flying against aircraft that we don't see every day is a great way for us to learn how to adapt to enemy planes."

The Lancers will be flying simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions against opposing forces. They will also play the defensive role and try to stop their opponents from completing their mission.

"During the air-to-air combat training we will go head to head with other pilots. In the air-to-ground combat missions we will be given a target to destroy and will have to fly through enemy forces to complete the objective," said Bright. "Throughout the training evolution we will be increasing the difficulty by sending up more and more planes, and by the second week we should have all of our birds in the air."

Also training with the Lancers are the Marine Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 `Moondogs' from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, until August. The Moondogs and their EA-6B Prowlers have very unique capabilities which will benefit the Lancers in their training.

"Our planes are designed to disrupt enemy radar and communications in a war time environment allowing other planes to fly through enemy lines and accomplish their mission," said Capt. Tim Davis, VMAQ-3 electronics counter measures officer.

According to Bright, while the Lancer pilots are perfecting their skills the rest of the Marines will be working hard to ensure that their pilots are able to complete their mission.

"It has been a lot of work getting our planes ready over the past couple months," said Cpl. Joshua Denz, VMFA-212 ordnance technician. "Even though we have a lot of work to do it will be well worth it because it's going to give our pilots a lot of experience flying against planes that they're not use to, and we're here to assist them with anything that they need."

After completing Exercise Cope Tiger 2003 the Marines and Sailors of VMFA-212 and VMAQ-3 will be more experienced and better prepared for actual air contingency operations.