F/A-18Ds assigned to VMFA (AW)-224 traveled to Chitose Air Base, Japan for dissimilar air combat training (DACT) with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15Js on Jan. 12.
Photo By: Cpl. Jessica Quezada
The unit will be there till Jan. 22. So far, both sides have successfully executed basic fighter maneuvers, section engaged maneuvers, aircraft tactical intercepts and offensive/defensive counter air missions, according to the press release.
“Section engaged maneuvers are two versus one, or two versus two aircrafts, and is a little bit more intensive as far as task saturation due to multiple aircraft in the sky,” said Capt. Alexander Blank, a VMFA (AW)-224 pilot. “Aircraft tactical intercepts are when we intercept aircraft that is out of our sight to get into an offensive position either to employ weapons or identify them as a hostile, and then employ weapons. Working with and against the Japanese F-15s … gives us the opportunity to train against an aircraft we may not have a lot of experience with. … They have very different capabilities as far as their maneuverability, power and weapons systems, and they are much more conservative with their training than U.S. forces are.”