[MilCom] Fwd: [MilRadioComms] MacDill AFB hosts cross-service exercises

Thu Jan 22 00:21:04 EST 2015

MacDill  AFB hosts cross-service exercises

By Tech. Sgt. Brandon  Shapiro
6th Air  Mobility Wing Public Affairs

January 20, 2015 

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) — The 6th Air  Mobility Wing here 
hosted a massive 300 sortie Navy F/A-18 pilot training  exercise from Jan. 4-17.

F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornets from Strike-Fighter  Squadron ONE ZERO SIX 
(VFA-106), a Navy training squadron, chose MacDill Air  Force Base because 
of its top-notch accommodations, geographical location, and  proximity to 
training specific complexes. This is the first of numerous  cross-service 
exercises scheduled for 2015.

VFA-106 is responsible for  preparing the finest strike fighter aircrew and 
maintenance professionals for  the fleet in support of combat operations 
around the  world.

"The Deployed Unit Complex located at MacDill has great  facilities that 
are able to accommodate our training, operations, and  maintenance efforts," 
said Navy Lt. Nathan Miller, a VFA-106 instructor pilot.  "MacDill is also an 
ideal location because of it nearness to the Avon Park Range  Complex, 
where all of our training takes place."

The large-scale exercise focused  the nearly 300 flights around the 
air-to-ground training phase, where new pilots  tested their skills at a bombing 
range. During their immersion, the VFA-106 was  able to successfully introduce 
future F/A-18 pilots to the critical training  that will be demanded of 
them once they go to their operational  squadrons.

"MacDill AFB supported our operations and personnel with  extreme 
professionalism and dedication," Miller said. "We were able to create a  great 
working relationship that allowed us to maximize our training efforts and  pave 
the way for future operations with the 6th [Air Mobility  Wing]."

On top of the success of the training exercise was an  overwhelming 
positive outcry from the local community.

"With such a fantastic community  support system, we want to do all we can 
to give back. For some, all it takes is  a couple of weeks of the world's 
finest pilots showcasing their second-to-none  skills," said 2nd Lt. Patrick 
Gargan, the 6th AMW media operation officer. "The  6th Air Mobility Wing is 
proud to host such events that serve so many valuable  purposes. We are 
extremely excited at this year's upcoming schedule of  exercises."

------------------------------------------------------

Photo  Captions (larger, high-res versions can be viewed or downloaded at 
the  URLs below each caption):

1. A VFA-106 crew chief from Oceana Naval Air Station, Va., prepares an  
F/A-18 Super Hornet for flight while exercising at MacDill Air Force Base, 
Fla.,  Jan. 12, 2015. VFA-106’s mission is to serve as the fleet replacement 
squadron,  where they train the fleet's newest winged aviators. (U.S. Air 
Force photo  by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Shapiro/Released)
http://www.macdill.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2015/01/150112-F-JP000
-015.JPG

2. A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet breaks through the clouds during a training  
mission held at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 12, 2015. Eighteen 
Hornets  and Super Hornets participated in a VFA-106 Navy Training Exercise that  
instructed the fleet’s newest aviators on air-to-ground operations. (U.S.  
Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Shapiro/Released)
http://www.macdill.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2015/01/150113-F-JP000
-016.JPG

3. A VFA-106 crew chief from Oceana Naval Air Station, Va., waits for the  
crew of an F/A-18 Super Hornet at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 12, 
2015.  Two T-34s and 18 F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets participated in a 
VFA-106 Navy  Training Exercise that instructed the fleet’s newest aviators on 
air-to-ground  operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ned T.  
Johnston/Released)
http://www.macdill.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2015/01/150112-F-ID984
-003.jpg

4. Two pilots with VFA-106 Strike Fighter Squadron, Oceana Naval Air  
Station, Va., walk away from an F/A-18 Super Hornet after a training flight at  
MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 9, 2015. Pilots trained on air-to-ground  
scenarios at MacDill’s Avon Park Air Force Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by  
Senior Airman Ned T. Johnston/Released)
http://www.macdill.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2015/01/150109-F-ID984
-011.JPG

5. A Navy T-34 Turbo Mentor passes through the clouds during a training  
mission held at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 12, 2015. Two T-34s and 18  
F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets participated in a VFA-106 Navy Training  
Exercise that instructed the fleet’s newest aviators on air-to-ground  
operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brandon  Shapiro/Released)
http://www.macdill.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2015/01/150113-F-JP000
-017.JPG

6. A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet lands during a training mission held at  
MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 12, 2015. Eighteen Hornets and Super Hornets  
participated in a VFA-106 Navy Training Exercise that instructed the fleet’
s  newest aviators on air-to-ground operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by 
Tech.  Sgt. Brandon Shapiro/Released)
http://www.macdill.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2015/01/150116-F-JP000
-011.JPG

AL STERN  Satellite Beach  FL
AllanStern at aol.com
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