Aggressors support Northern Edge air operations

  • Published
  • By Army Spc. Brooks Fletcher
  • Northern Edge 2008 Joint Information Bureau
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  "We are the bad guys. We are the 'Aggressors'," said Tech. Sgt. Gary Pursley, flightline expeditor, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit of the 18th Aggressor Squadron.

Sergeant Pursley along with the rest of the Airmen in the 18th AMU play an important role in Northern Edge 2008, an annual joint-training exercise that takes place in Alaska, May 5 through 16.

While Sergeant Pursley circled the flight line in what many in the squadron refer to as a 'bread truck,' a vehicle driven by leadership ensuring proper maintenance procedures are being conducted, walkie-talkies relayed an array of information pertaining to incoming and outgoing aircrafts.

"I direct maintenance and whatever needs to be done," he said. "I inform the flight line personnel on where and what they need to do."

A modification made to the F-16 prior to the joint-exercise, was wing-tanks being affixed, an adjustment made in order for the aircrafts to maintain longer flight times without having to refuel as they fly above Alaska.

With the increasing workload, the squadron is under 24-hour operations, ensuring all aircraft are at full-operability for flight.

"The more you fly, the more you need to do maintenance," said Sergeant Pursley. "Everyone here involved in the air-centric operation piece of Northern Edge, flies against us, if the jets aren't maintained, then who will they fly against."

Staff Sgt. Dustin Stewart, also a crew chief with 18th AMU advocated the core of maintenance.

"We make sure [the aircraft] are serviceable and fixed right the first time," said Sergeant Stewart.

The 18th AMU is just one section of the 18th AGRS, Eielson's joint and allied aircrew that prepares its combat air force through a 'know, teach and replicate' philosophy. The other component of the 18th AGRS is the 18th Fighter Squadron, who serves as the operations aspect of the aircraft unit.

According to Air Force Maj. Rich Sumner, F-16 pilot, 18th FS, their purpose is knowing the tactical mindset of how pilots from various countries operate, in order to teach our pilots how to best counter the moves of their opponents.

Major Sumner, in his first Northern Edge training, feels this exercise is helpful for their squadron.

"The key is that [our crews] get a realistic representation of possible threats," said Sumner.


With approximately 18 F-16 aircraft, crews of experienced pilots, aircraft specialists and crew

chiefs, the Aggressors of Eielson are more than capable of supporting Northern Edge 2008.