News United States Air Force
 Eielson AFB exercises readiness, capabilityPublished March 29, 2022
                        
                        
                        354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
                **EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) --**
                Airmen and aircraft from the**354th Fighter Wing**participated in acapabilities demonstration during a routine readiness exercise at **Eielson Air Force Base**, March 25.

The demonstration is part of the base’s training operations exercising how the 354th FWis able to rapidly generate and launch 42 of the wing’s **F-35A Lightning II**aircraft. The event provided the opportunity for Airmen to hone readiness capabilities in response to potential real-world contingencies.

“Since our last capability demonstration in December 2020, we have learned a lot about generating F-35s in an arctic environment,” said**Col. David Berkland**, 354th FW commander. “The 354th FW and Team Eielson stand ready to deliver fifth-generation airpower anytime, anywhere.”

A formation of 42 F-35A Lightning II’s, 354th Fighter Wing, during a routine readiness exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 25, 2022. The capabilities demonstration represents the culmination of the dedicated efforts of the 354th FW, with each Airman providing vital contributions to ensure Eielson AFB is ready to deliver airpower anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)A formation of 42 F-35A Lightning II’s, 354th Fighter Wing, during a routine readiness exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 25, 2022. The capabilities demonstration represents the culmination of the dedicated efforts of the 354th FW, with each Airman providing vital contributions to ensure Eielson AFB is ready to deliver airpower anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)
            
            
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    A formation of 42 F-35A Lightning IIs during a routine readiness exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 25, 2022. The formation demonstrated the 354th Fighter Wing’s ability to rapidly mobilize fifth-generation aircraft in arctic conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)A formation of 42 F-35A Lightning IIs during a routine readiness exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 25, 2022. The formation demonstrated the 354th Fighter Wing’s ability to rapidly mobilize fifth-generation aircraft in arctic conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)
            
            
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    A pilot, in a formation of 42 F-35A Lightning II’s from the 354th Fighter Wing, taxis on the flightline during a routine readiness exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 25, 2022. The capabilities demonstration represents the culmination of the dedicated efforts of the 354th FW, with each Airman providing vital contributions to ensure Eielson AFB is ready to deliver airpower anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Schoubroek)A pilot, in a formation of 42 F-35A Lightning II’s from the 354th Fighter Wing, taxis on the flightline during a routine readiness exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 25, 2022. The capabilities demonstration represents the culmination of the dedicated efforts of the 354th FW, with each Airman providing vital contributions to ensure Eielson AFB is ready to deliver airpower anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Schoubroek)
            
            
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Eielson AFB’s location within the arctic provides an ideal environment for Airmen to conduct large-scale training in extreme cold weather environments to continue to train and enhance readiness.

“OurAirmen from throughout the wing, not just on the flightline, made this exercise a success,” Berkland said. “Whether they support, defend or deliver airpower, the hard work of our entire team of Airmen enabled us to stand up two fifth-generation fighter squadrons here at Eielson.” 
 Following the capabilities demonstration, the pilots conducted local training sorties in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. The 354th FW the world’s premier fifth-generation fighter wing—ready to compete, deter and win the high-end fight with a diverse, ready and innovative force.LR 



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