JDEWR Deployed In Japan For Live Training Exercises

Groundbreaking advancements to F-16 Fighting Falcon warfare training arrived at Misawa Air Base in Japan during the week of Aug. 12 through 16 in the form of a Joint Deployable Electronic Warfare Range, or JDEWR. The JDEWR is a weapon system that provides tactical-level training to participants in live training events. It's implemented as a threat capable of submitting ground threat defenses for bilateral and joint missions and exercises for United States Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Navy aircraft stationed in Japan, according to Lt. Col. Kevin Jones, 35th Operations Support Squadron director of operations.

The mission of the 35th Fighter Wing is the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses - known as the Wild Weasels -- and focuses largely on the neutralization of enemy Surface to Air missile sites. In the past, Wild Weasels have had to fly to Red Flag exercises over Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, which use the JDEWR system, to get the most accurate training possible for their SEAD mission. "As a SEAD wing, we need to be able to detect, locate, engage and kill enemy SAMs, antiaircraft artillery and their associated radars," said Capt. Matthew Karmondy, an F-16 pilot in the 14th Fighter Squadron who has flown in multiple Red Flag exercises. "The more our training matches reality, the better we'll be when the balloon goes up and we are called on to neutralize enemy threats."
 
Karmondy said once a SAM is located, the next step is how to best neutralize that threat, whether it be through avoidance, electronic jamming or kinetic means such as bombs, missiles or guns. Pilots were previously forced to simulate these attacks, and one of the realities was that the aspect of realistic feedback from the ground always fell short. Now, with this new system, pilots can fight back realistically, utilizing all aspects within the cockpit. "That's exactly what the JDEWR allows us to do - train like we will fight in major combat operations," Karmondy said. "Short of putting missiles and bullets in the air, the JDEWR fights back. It's a hugely important asset."
 
Capt. Travis Smith, 35 OSS electronic warfare officer, said the JDEWR can simulate up to seven different target systems simultaneously in its current configuration. "It's rapidly re-deployable as well, so we could have vastly different set ups for the pilots to fly against from exercise to exercise in our own backyard," Smith added.
 
Before the JDEWR's arrival, Jones said "We didn't get to see a real threat on the radar looking at us -- nothing triggered our radar warning receiver. But now the arrival of the JDEWR gives the ability to actually get a spike and act accordingly to that threat."
 
Having the equipment here for a realistic threat environment also postures Misawa to potentially host large scale exercises in the future, boosting value in regional training with other military assets. "Joint and bilateral training is significant in that it's just the reality of how we are going to go to war in today's day and age," Jones said.
 
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has provided noteworthy assistance to Wild Weasels in recent months by opening up their SAM sites for training, albeit their availability was often limited, Karmody said. The arrival of the JDEWR makes Misawa and its surrounding airspace a top-of-the-line training forum available 24/7. The JDEWR is the first of its kind to be placed in Japan and will be based at Misawa's Draughon Range, an area located only 10 nautical miles north of the base where pilots are authorized to drop live ordnance during training.
 
Jones said Draughon Range is "one of the best kept secrets in the Air Force," lauding its ability to provide both tactical and conventional targets, while also being the only air-to-ground range in Northern Japan. "It's great to see pilots learn on Draughon Range by practicing their attacks and growing as pilots," said Capt. Greg Balzhiser, 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot. "You can actually see the results on the ground right in front of you rather than having to simulate the results of an attack."

(Image provided by the USAF)
 
ANN Salutes Senior Airman Derek VanHorn, 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

FMI: www.af.mil