Bringing testing to Northern Edge

  • Published
  • By Shelby Daniell
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs

More than 250 Airmen from here and Nellis Air Force Base made their way home May 25 following the conclusion of exercise Northern Edge 2019 in Alaska.

A combination of F-35, F-16, F-15C, F-15E’s totaling 28 aircraft from the 53rd Wing and 96th Test Wing participated in the exercise. 

 

“Northern Edge allows us to test new system upgrades in what we call a Large Force Exercise or LFE, which basically means a lot of airplanes airborne at the same time in support of a particular mission,” said Maj. Eric Marsh, 40th Flight Test Squadron flight commander. 

 

There were approximately 15 different tests ongoing throughout the exercise, ranging from hardware and software to updated tactics employment. 

“We received a lot of good, usable data, making it a success. We were able to identify limitations within all of these systems” said Marsh. “We know what must be addressed before it’s fielded to the combat air forces. Also, finding limitations means we are creating scenarios that accurately represent the challenging environments our warfighters could face.”

The expanse of Northern Edge’s controlled range allowed aircrews a new capability to test air to air engagements and surface to air threat warning system scenarios at max range.

“The exercise helps us to move at the speed of relevance to deliver new tech to the warfighter just when he needs it,” said Marsh.