Hampton, Va. (WTKR)- The United States Air Force, United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, and the French Air Force have partnered up for the inaugural Trilateral Exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
The exercise, hosted by the 1st Fighter Wing, will take place from December 2nd – 18th at Langley Air Force Base and focus on operations in a "highly-contested operation environment through a variety of simulated adversary scenarios."
“The trilateral exercise gives us an opportunity to train together in realistic counter-air and strike scenarios,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Pete Fesler, the commander of the 1st Fighter Wing. “This training is critical to ensure that we have day-one interoperability for future contingency operations.”
More than 500 people will be involved in the exercise, consisting of approximately 225 personnel from the U.S. Air Force, 175 from the Royal Air Force and 150 from the French Air Force.
The exercise will not only feature the U.S.'s Raptor, but also the Royal Air Force's Typhoon and the French Air Force's Rafale as primary aircraft. The exercise will be the first time these coalition aircraft have flown together.
Adversary aircraft will be replicated by the U.S.'s F-15E Strike Eagles and T-38 Talons. The U.S.'s Airborne Warning and Control System, as well as U.S. and FrAF tankers will also provide support during the exercise.
