Bombers, Marine F-35s join Point Blank 20-4 exercise

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by spazsinbad » 11 Sep 2020, 21:51

Bombers, Marine F-35s join Point Blank 20-4 exercise
11 Sep 2020 1st Lt. Marie Chealthia Ortiz, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

"RAF LAKENHEATH, United Kingdom (AFNS) -- More than 50 aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force participated in exercise Point Blank 20-04 over the North Sea, Sep. 10. A high-end fight focused on fourth and fifth-generation defensive counter air integration, this exercise saw the return of U.S. Air Force F-15s and KC-135s, RNLAF F-16s, RAF and RNLAF F-35s, RAF Typhoons, and a RAF Voyager.

“Flying alongside fellow NATO nations over and around the United Kingdom in a complex war-fighting scenario involving over 50 aircraft is exactly the sort of training that keeps our Royal Air Force sharp and ready to operate alongside our allies whenever and wherever the call comes,” said James Heappey, U.K. minister for Armed Forces.

The exercise also included first-time participation of U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command B-52 Stratofortress operating out of RAF Fairford, F-16s from the 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and U.S. Marine Corps F-35s from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211....

...“Our Typhoons acted as the aggressors against the fifth-generation F-35s from the RAF, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Netherlands Air Force, simulating the tactics and threats of our adversaries whilst challenging their colleagues in a series of complex air-to-air battles that tested the skills of the pilots involved, and pushed these world-class aircraft to their limits,” said Group Captain Chris Layden, RAF Lossiemouth station commander....

...“Exercises like Point Blank allow us to validate digital interoperability with Squadron 617 and is an opportunity to conduct realistic, relevant training with the United States Air Force, and NATO's allies, expanding our global influence by developing capabilities that can share the burden in addressing common defense challenges," said Lt. Col. Joseph F. Freshour, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 commanding officer...."

Source: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display ... -exercise/


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