Air combat drills are underway
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PORTLAND – The Oregon Air National Guard is hosting the Navy’s Golden Dragons from California. They are conducting dissimilar air combat training exercises this week and next over Eastern Oregon and the coast. ONG’s F-18 Super Hornets will participate.
The training provides realistic combat scenarios for pilots to hone their advanced aerial tactics that could be used against potential adversaries. ONG said the exercise is an essential and required component to ensure military readiness.
“This training with the Golden Dragons is a unique opportunity for the Redhawks to refine and reinforce joint air superiority tactics,” Lt. Col. Joshua Hovanas, the squadron commander, said. “The combination of capabilities represented between our two weapons systems allows for operations against a peer adversary.”
Flights will depart and land at Portland International Airport. The planes will launch on weekdays after 8 a.m. and will return to base before 4 p.m.
U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Leon Vonguyen of a Super Hornet launching off an aircraft carrier.
