High-End Fight Comes to Langley

F-22s launched a high-end anti-access, area-denial integration exercise with British and French fighters at JB Langley-Eustis, Va., on Dec. 2. A total of eight Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR-?4s, and six French air force Rafale fighters will join the 1st Fighter Wing Raptors, squaring off against F-15Es and T-38s during the three-week exercise. “The RAF and [French air force] are our vital strategic partners and allies in the current fight against extremism, and will be in any foreseeable future conflict,” 1st FW Commander Col. Pete Fesler said in a release. “The trilateral exercise gives us an opportunity to train together in realistic counter-air and strike scenarios. This training is critical to ensure that we have day-one interoperability for future contingency operations,” he added. Some 500 multi-national personnel are taking part in the exercise Dec. 2-18, marking the first time the three air forces’ topline fighters have gathered for a single exercise, according to Langley.