US and Canadian forces completed the homeland defense Exercise Vigilant Shield 16 this week at Goose Bay, Labrador. Some 700 Air Force, Navy, and Canadian Forces took part in the two-week interoperability exercise at forward operating locations in Labrador and the Canadian far north, Oct. 15-26. Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s and California Air National Guard F-15C/Ds from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno, as well Navy E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft practiced air defense coordination, operating from Goose Bay. B-52s from Minot AFB, N.D., and Barksdale AFB, La., participated in the last three days of the exercise. “Integrating US bombers into allied training events supports a strong, credible bomber force that is essential to enhancing regional security,” US Strategic Command boss Adm. Cecil Haney said in an Air Force Global Strike Command release. The exercise was the last of several this year that Fresno F-15s have flown to evaluate their preparednes?s for full operational capability, after transitioning from the F-16.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.