Northern Lightning strikes

Airman 1st Class Jaiden Clark, a crew chief from the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and a pilot from the 58th Fighter Squadron exchange the squadron’s motivational “Rage” hand signal on day one of the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field,Wisconsin, Aug. 12, 2019. Pilots and maintenance Airmen work together to confirm the safety of the flight prior to take off. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

A 33rd Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning II takes off during the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 12, 2019. Northern Lightning is a tactical-level, joint training exercise that tests fourth and fifth generation assets engaged in a contested and degraded environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

Airmen assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing change a tire on an F-35A Lightning II, during the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 11, 2019. Northern Lightning is a joint total force exercise that provides tactical-level, high-end training for current and future weapons platforms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

Several 33rd Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning IIs taxi down the Volk Field, Wisconsin. runway, during the Northern Lightning exercise, Aug. 13, 2019. Northern Lightning is a joint total force exercise that provides tactical-level, high-end training for current and future weapons platforms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

Airmen assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing prepare the jets, during the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 11, 2019. Members from 20 different Air Force, National Guard, Navy and Marine Corps units took part in the two-week joint total force exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

A 33rd Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning II lands during the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 13, 2019. Northern Lightning brings together Air Force, Air National Guard, Navy and Marine Corps units to train in an environment that replicates today’s battlespace with current and future weapons systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

Airmen assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing perform pre-flight checks, during the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 12, 2019. Maintenance Airmen inspect and prepare the jets before each flight, to help ensure the safety of pilots in the air and people on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

A 33rd Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning II takes off during the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 12, 2019. The Northern Lightning exercise brings together the joint total force of the next generation of air superiority. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Zachary Clements steps to his jet during the Northern Lightning exercise, at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 12, 2019. Northern Lightning is a joint total force exercise between the Air National Guard, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps conducting offensive counter air, suppression and destruction of enemy air defense and close air support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)

Lt. Col. Nicholas Edwards, 33rd Operations Support Squadron commander, gives the motivational “Rage” hand sign just before takeoff, during the Northern Lightning exercise at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 12, 2019. Pilots and aircrews participating in Northern Lightning operate in an environment with adversary aircraft, electronic jamming and simulated surface-to-air threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)