Several units assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island participated in a 12-day joint training exercise Northern Edge 2019 in Alaska.

In addition to VAQ-134, one other Electronic Attack squadron, VAQ-142, supported Northern Edge 2019 off the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

EA-18G Growlers were not the only NAS Whidbey aircraft supporting this training exercise involving more than 250 aircraft.

There were also maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft from VP-4 and VP-69 flying the P-8 and P-3, respectively, and one Mobile Tactical Operations Center from Wing 10.

NAS Whidbey’s commanding officer, Capt. Matt Arny, said this was an exciting and important exercise as base units participate in a greater effort to advance their high-end war fighting capabilities.

“The foundation for each aircrew and squadron has been formed right here in the Northwest. Our aircrews learn and hone high level skills by using the exceptional training areas throughout our Northwest Training Range Complex, and at our first-rate facilities here at Ault Field and OLF Coupeville,” Arny said.

“The base also served as a staging point for other aircraft transiting up to the exercise and we take great pride in the services they received to get them to their mission ready to go on day one. It may look easy, but I assure you it isn’t – it’s only a great team of professionals that make this happen every day.”

Approximately 10,000 U.S. military personnel participated in exercise Northern Edge 2019 (NE19), a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces, which was scheduled to run through May 24 on and above central Alaska ranges and the Gulf of Alaska.

The exercise was designed to sharpen participants’ tactical combat skills, to improve command, control and communication relationships, and to develop interoperable plans and programs across the joint force.